Opposition: "Last year, three riot police companies were deployed in Itaewon... This year, not a single unit is present"

"No Order Maintenance or Safety Management Officers Among On-Site Deployed Police Officers"

On the 1st, during the national mourning period following the large-scale crush disaster in Itaewon, foreigners visiting the memorial space created at Itaewon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, were immersed in sorrow. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party of Korea pointed out on the 1st that unlike last year, no riot police were deployed during the Itaewon disaster this year. They also rebutted the police's explanation that more officers were deployed than in previous years.

Im O-kyung, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "There was no public authority at the scene of the disaster to protect the lives and safety of the people," adding, "On the day of the Halloween disaster, riot police were deployed at a downtown rally of 25,000 people, but none were deployed at the Halloween festival where 100,000 people were expected to gather."

Spokesperson Im introduced, "Last year, 85 police officers and three riot police companies were deployed in Itaewon, but this year, only 137 police officers were deployed and not a single riot police unit was assigned."

He continued, "The police officers deployed on site were only responsible for investigation, traffic, and youth and women affairs, and there were no officers assigned to maintain order and safety management," adding, "The importance of qualitative frontline command was overlooked."

Spokesperson Im pointed out, "Several days before the festival, there was already an internal report within the Yongsan Police Station raising concerns about safety accidents at the Halloween festival, but this was only reflected in the security operation plan," emphasizing, "Several days before the festival, there was already an internal report within the Yongsan Police Station raising concerns about safety accidents at the Halloween festival, but this was only reflected in the security operation plan."

He urged, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the police must clearly explain the reasons for not deploying riot police and why no measures were taken despite the internal report."

Spokesperson Im said, "This disaster does not end here," and added, "The cause of the accident must be thoroughly investigated to ensure it never happens again."

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