Presidential Office on Police 'Self-Investigation' Controversy: "If Doubts Remain, We Will Consider Other Options"

Minister Lee Sang-min Accompanies President Yoon for Condolences... Presidential Office: "Minister of the Relevant Ministry, No Reason for Different Interpretation"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is paying tribute by laying flowers at the memorial space in front of Exit 1 of Itaewon Station, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 1st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] On the 3rd, the Presidential Office addressed the controversy over the police's inadequate response to the Itaewon tragedy and the allegations of a "self-investigation," stating, "If national suspicions remain, we can consider various other options."

A Presidential Office official, speaking to reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul on the same day, responded to the question, "Isn't there a limit to the police investigating themselves?" by saying, "I believe the police are taking this matter seriously enough to reveal their own shortcomings with a special resolve."

The official added, "I have also seen reports that this is the largest disaster incident investigated independently by the police following the complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak) and the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police." This suggests that options such as restoring direct investigation rights for large-scale disasters to the prosecution through amendments to the Geomsu Wanbak law remain open.

Regarding the fact that the police leadership recognized the situation later than the Presidential Office on the day of the tragedy, the official was reserved, stating, "I understand that the special investigation headquarters, which does not report to the National Police Agency chief, is conducting thorough inspections and investigations to leave no doubts." When asked whether the minister of the relevant ministry is also subject to police inspection and investigation, the official briefly replied that it is a matter for the investigative authorities to decide.

Regarding the background of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who is facing calls for dismissal but continues to accompany President Yoon Suk-yeol to the joint memorial altar at Seoul Plaza, the official explained, "There is no meaning beyond the minister of the relevant ministry accompanying, and there is no reason for other interpretations."

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