Democratic Party: "Police Deployed at Empty Official Residence on Day of Disaster... Did Protecting President Neglect Public Safety?"

On the 2nd, during the national mourning period following the Itaewon large-scale crush disaster, visitors continued to pay their respects at the memorial space set up near Itaewon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party of Korea pointed out on the 5th, mentioning the large-scale police deployment at the Hannam-dong residence, which was a 'vacant house' at the time of the Itaewon tragedy, saying, "We ask whether the police were neglecting the lives and safety of the people while protecting the president."

On the same day, Ahn Gwi-ryeong, the Democratic Party's full-time deputy spokesperson, stated in a written briefing, "The cause of the Itaewon tragedy must be clearly revealed through a thorough and unrestricted national investigation."

Ahn said, "It has been revealed that a large number of police personnel were deployed at the Hannam-dong residence of President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife on the day of the Itaewon tragedy," adding, "About 200 police officers were dispatched to guard the 'vacant house' because the president and his wife postponed moving in."

He criticized, "It is regrettable that personnel who could have prevented the tragedy were lacking," and added, "On the day of the tragedy, police riot squads were deployed not only at the Yongsan Presidential Office but also at the president and his wife's Seocho-dong residence."

Ahn said, "From the vacant Hannam-dong residence to the Seocho-dong home and the Presidential Office, while the police were unable to move as they were protecting the president and his wife, 112 emergency calls from citizens fearing the risk of crushing poured in," and asked, "What explanation will President Yoon Seok-yeol provide regarding the background of the police personnel not being deployed in a timely manner?"

He urged, "The president must thoroughly investigate why the tragedy could not be prevented and clearly promise to punish all those responsible," adding, "The public will not be deceived by belated apologies, cover-ups, or downplaying."

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