Special Investigation Unit to Examine Yongsan Police Chief's Whereabouts... 'False Report' Allegations Intensify (Comprehensive)

Preparing Investigation While Examining Related Suspicions
Subject to Investigation for Alleged False Situation Reports
Will Be Booked as Suspect Upon Receiving Inspection Materials
All Possibilities Including Search and Seizure Open
Possible Application of Negligent Homicide Charges

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 Cho Sung-pil] The Police Agency's Special Investigation Headquarters (Special Investigation Unit) is reportedly examining the whereabouts of Lee Im-jae, the Chief Superintendent of the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul and one of the highest-ranking officials at the Itaewon disaster scene, on the day of the incident, as of the 5th. According to the inspection results, Chief 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 reporting, the Special Investigation Unit plans to verify the facts after receiving inspection materials on Chief Superintendent Lee from the Police Agency's Special Inspection Team the previous day. The inspection materials reportedly include information that Lee's actual movements on the day were recorded differently in the situation report. The situation report compiled by the Police Agency at the time states, "The Yongsan Police Chief arrived at the scene 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 Chief Superintendent Lee, stated the previous day, "It has been confirmed that Chief Superintendent Lee arrived at the Itaewon police box at 11:05 PM on the 29th, the day of the disaster."

According to the inspection team, Chief Superintendent Lee arrived at Noksapyeong Station around 10 PM on the day of the disaster but, due to traffic congestion, could not proceed further by vehicle and attempted to detour through Gyeongridan-gil and other routes. He then arrived at Itaewon Antique Furniture Street near the Itaewon police box between 10:55 PM and 11:01 PM. The straight-line distance from Noksapyeong Station to Itaewon Antique Furniture Street is about 900 meters, which takes less than 10 minutes on foot. However, Lee insisted on traveling by vehicle, which took more than 55 minutes. Upon arriving at Itaewon Antique Furniture Street, Lee judged that vehicle access was no longer possible and walked to the Itaewon police box, ultimately arriving at the scene more than 50 minutes after the disaster occurred.

Police forces are controlling the scene and moving busily around the Itaewon area in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Earlier, on the 3rd, the inspection team placed Chief Superintendent Lee on standby suspension, holding him responsible for the 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 Chief 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 chief responsible for the area where the accident occurred, Lee had the duty to oversee the scene but is suspected of neglecting command and control by arriving late and submitting false and delayed reports. It is reported that Lee 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. However, the Yongsan Police Chief's office, which was Lee's workplace at the time, was excluded from the raid targets. It has also been 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 Chief 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 Chief Superintendent Lee are received. The Yongsan Police Chief's office and Lee's mobile phone may also be subject to seizure during this process. The Special Investigation Unit expects to receive the inspection materials around the 7th. Summons for questioning is inevitable. The unit is expected to focus on questioning Lee about the gap period before arriving at the scene, whether he properly commanded after arrival, and whether he submitted false reports during this process.

If the Special Investigation Unit confirms problems with command during the investigation, it is anticipated that Chief Superintendent Lee could be charged with professional negligence resulting in death or injury. Additionally, if it is found that documents or records were falsified to conceal mistakes afterward, charges such as false official document creation could be added.

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