Police Detain 29 People Related to 'Geumcheon Gas Leak' Scene... "Investigation on Negligence"

14 Additional People Booked in One Week
Seoul Solar Power Project Accusation "Investigation According to Procedures"

Choi Kwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Additional personnel related to the incident in which fire suppressant leaked at a new construction site in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, causing 21 casualties, have been booked.

Choi Gwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated in a press briefing on the 22nd, "Through investigations of related parties, joint forensic examinations, seizures, and on-site verifications, we have booked 29 individuals, including site managers from primary and subcontractor companies deemed responsible for the accident, and are conducting investigations." As of the 15th, 15 people had been booked, with 14 more added within a week.

At approximately 8:52 a.m. on the 23rd of last month, fire suppressant leaked at the new construction site of the Gasan Data Hub Center in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, resulting in 4 deaths and 17 injuries. Autopsy results confirmed that the cause of death for the four was asphyxiation due to carbon dioxide poisoning. Commissioner Choi stated, "We plan to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident's circumstances, safety measures, and any negligence in management through additional inquiries of related parties."

Commissioner Choi also addressed the case in which Seoul City filed complaints against companies related to solar power projects, saying, "After investigating the complainants, we are proceeding with investigations of the accused according to procedures," and added, "This case has been designated as a Seoul Police Agency priority case and is under active investigation." The Seoul Metropolitan Government Audit Committee conducted an audit from August 19 to September 17, uncovering evidence of illegal subcontracting among 11 veranda-type solar power supply companies (2 cooperatives and 9 general companies), and filed complaints against their 11 representatives with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The police assigned four reported and requested investigation cases to Namdaemun Police Station (2 cases), Yongsan Police Station, and Yangcheon Police Station respectively.

Regarding the incident where employees of the U.S. Embassy in Korea collided with a taxi and fled the scene, Commissioner Choi said, "We are consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Embassy on investigation methods and procedures concerning the traffic accident." Concerning the death of a 3-year-old stepson due to child abuse in Gangdong-gu on the 20th, he explained, "Multiple bruises and abrasions were confirmed on the victim child, raising suspicion of abuse. The stepmother was urgently arrested at a hospital, and the residence was searched," adding, "We plan to confirm the exact cause of death through an autopsy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.