Special Investigation Unit to Examine Yongsan Police Chief's Actions During Disaster... Possibility of Forced Investigation

Preparing investigation while examining related suspicions
Will be booked as a suspect once inspection materials are received
All possibilities including search and seizure remain open
Possible application of professional negligence causing death or injury charges
Additional charges such as false official document creation may be added

On the afternoon of the 2nd, a member of the Special Investigation Headquarters (Special Investigation Unit) of the police, who completed a search and seizure at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, is coming out of the building. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Police Agency's Special Investigation Headquarters (Special Investigation Unit) is reportedly examining the whereabouts of Lee Im-jae, the Seoul Yongsan Police Station Chief (Senior Superintendent), who was one of the highest-ranking officials at the Itaewon disaster site on the day of the incident, as of the 5th. According to the investigation results, Senior Superintendent Lee arrived at the disaster site at 11:05 PM that day, but the situation report states that he arrived at 10:20 PM, raising suspicions of false reporting.

According to a compilation of our coverage, the Special Investigation Unit plans to verify the facts after receiving investigation materials on Senior Superintendent Lee from the Police Agency's Special Inspection Team the previous day. The inspection materials reportedly include content showing that Lee's actual whereabouts on the day differed from what was recorded in the situation report. The situation report compiled by the Police Agency at the time states, "The Yongsan Police Station Chief arrived at the site at 10:20 PM and instructed all staff to go to the site and respond with full force," but the inspection revealed this to be false. The Police Agency's Special Inspection Team, which handled the inspection of Senior Superintendent Lee, stated the previous day, "It has been confirmed that Senior Superintendent Lee arrived at the Itaewon police box at 11:05 PM on the 29th, the day of the disaster."

Earlier, on the 3rd, the inspection team placed Senior Superintendent Lee on standby suspension for his delayed reporting to the command during the disaster and referred the case to the Special Investigation Unit. The Special Investigation Unit is currently preparing an investigation focusing on the suspicions raised by the media regarding Senior Superintendent Lee. Once the inspection materials are received, they plan to formally register him as a suspect and proceed with a full-scale investigation. As the police station chief responsible for the area where the accident occurred, Senior Superintendent Lee is suspected of neglecting command and control by arriving late at the scene and of making false and delayed reports. It is known that he did not provide specific statements to the inspection team.

On the 2nd, the Special Investigation Unit conducted raids on eight locations, including the Yongsan Police Station and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and is currently analyzing the seized items obtained during the process. The Yongsan Police Station Chief's office, which was Senior Superintendent Lee's workplace at the time, was excluded from the raid targets. It was also confirmed that Lee's mobile phone was not seized. A Special Investigation Unit official explained, "The search warrants were issued as of the 1st, before various suspicions surrounding Senior Superintendent Lee were raised," adding, "Since the inspection team was conducting a separate inspection, efficiency was also taken into consideration."

The Special Investigation Unit plans to keep all options open, including compulsory investigation, once the inspection materials on Senior Superintendent Lee are received. The Yongsan Police Station Chief's office and Lee's mobile phone may also be included in the seizure targets during this process. The Special Investigation Unit expects the inspection materials to be delivered around the 7th. A summons for questioning is inevitable. The Special Investigation Unit is expected to focus on questioning Senior Superintendent Lee about the gap period before his arrival at the scene, whether he properly commanded after arriving, and whether he made false reports during this process.

In the Special Investigation Unit's inquiry, if problems with command are confirmed, it is anticipated that Senior Superintendent Lee could be charged with professional negligence resulting in death or injury. Additionally, if it is found that documents or records were manipulated to conceal mistakes afterward, charges such as false official document creation may be added.

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