Special Investigation Unit Ends Hamilton Hotel Raid Over 'Illegal Extension' After 8 Hours

Scene of the crowd crush disaster in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 1st. The Hamilton Hotel building is on the right side of the alley. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The special investigation headquarters (Special Investigation Unit) of the National Police Agency, which is investigating the Itaewon disaster, completed a search and seizure operation on the CEO of the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, after about eight hours on the 9th.

The Special Investigation Unit dispatched 14 investigators to conduct search and seizure operations at three locations, including the Hamilton Hotel, from 11 a.m. to around 7 p.m. that day, securing related materials. Earlier, the Special Investigation Unit had booked the CEO, Mr. A, of the Hamilton Hotel, which is adjacent to the disaster site, on charges including violation of the Building Act. According to the Special Investigation Unit, Mr. A is suspected of constructing an illegal building on the west side of the Hamilton Hotel main building and occupying the adjacent road without permission.

The pub located on the north side of the Hamilton Hotel main building had been using an unauthorized terrace extension (17.4㎡). On the west side of the main building, which faces the alley where the crush accident occurred, a steel partition wall was installed. This partition wall was criticized for narrowing the alley further, which increased the casualties. Despite the Yongsan District Office's notice to demolish the illegal structure, the Hamilton Hotel delayed demolition by paying more than 50 million won in enforcement fines since 2014.

The Special Investigation Unit plans to analyze the materials secured during this search and seizure to examine whether there is any correlation between the illegal building at the Hamilton Hotel and the Itaewon disaster. They also intend to summon Mr. A soon to investigate the facts.

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