Special Investigation Unit Ultimately Blamed Individuals with 'Scapegoating Investigation'... Criticized for Neglecting Truth Verification

Frontline Workers' Suicides Continue
Calls for Accountability from Ministry of the Interior and Seoul City Increase

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Jang Sehee and Yoo Byungdon] The police special investigation headquarters investigating the Itaewon disaster is facing criticism for conducting a scapegoating-style investigation by focusing on on-site staff. Despite the fact that the police, fire department, local governments, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's responses were collectively inadequate, no summons have been issued to the command leadership.

On the 13th, the special investigation headquarters stated in a press release, "We are humbly listening to various opinions including that the investigation is 'stagnant' and 'only lower-ranking officers are being investigated,'" and added, "Based on the facts confirmed through preliminary investigations, we plan to expand the scope of the investigation as soon as possible."

Currently, the special investigation headquarters has summoned and investigated employees from Yongsan District Office, fire authorities, and Seoul Metro. While focusing investigative efforts only on lower-ranking frontline personnel, there has been no progress in investigating those who should be held responsible. The special investigation headquarters has registered seven individuals as suspects, including Ryu Mijin, former head of personnel training at Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (Senior Superintendent), Lee Imjae, former chief of Yongsan Police Station, former intelligence and unit chiefs of Yongsan Police Station, Park Heeyoung, Yongsan District Mayor, Choi Seongbeom, Yongsan Fire Station Chief, and the CEO of Hamilton Hotel.

It is also incomprehensible that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Seoul City were excluded from the forced investigation. Although the police have conducted forced investigations on the police, fire department, Yongsan District Office, Seoul Metro, and Hamilton Hotel, no search and seizure have been carried out on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Seoul City, which are responsible for overall disaster management. The special investigation headquarters only repeats the formal position that legal reviews are underway. Some speculate that the central government ministry, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is reluctant to take responsibility because it would increase the perception of government and national accountability.

Recently, there have been a series of extreme choices by frontline workers related to the Itaewon disaster. Jeong Mo, a police sergeant who served as the intelligence unit chief at Yongsan Police Station, took his own life at home after being registered as a suspect.

Seoul City Safety Support Division Chief A was also found dead at home. According to the special investigation headquarters, A was not notified of any summons or investigation plans.

Within the police, there is an opinion that the burden has increased as responsibility is being placed solely on those present at the scene. A police officer working in the Seoul area said, "The unit chief probably could not do much on his own level, so it is tragic," and added, "The special investigation headquarters is hesitating to investigate the commissioner and the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency."

Another police officer said, "The first person to leave the scene related to the Itaewon disaster was the chief of Yongsan Police Station," and added, "Since the command leadership has not shown any accountability, the on-site police officers feel even more devastated."

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