"Disaster Safety Chief" Firefighters' Union Files Complaint Against Minister Lee Sang-min for 'Neglect of Duty and Professional Negligence Resulting in Injury or Death'

Police Agency Special Unit Office Visited to Submit Complaint... "Must File Charges and Conduct Thorough Investigation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Firefighters' Labor Union has filed a complaint with the police against Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, the overall person responsible for disaster safety, on charges of dereliction of duty and professional negligence causing death and injury in relation to the Itaewon tragedy.

According to the Fire Department Branch of the National Public Officials Labor Union Federation on the 15th, the Firefighters' Union submitted the complaint on the 14th at the Special Investigation Headquarters (SIH) office of the Seoul Mapo-gu Police Agency.

The Firefighters' Union demanded that the police formally investigate Minister Lee thoroughly and called for his resignation, holding him accountable for the Itaewon tragedy. They argued that since the tragedy occurred due to the collapse of prevention and prior safety measures, Minister Lee, who oversees disaster and safety management under the Disaster and Safety Management Act, bears responsibility. They also emphasized that under the legislative intent of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, Minister Lee is responsible.

Furthermore, the Firefighters' Union urged the National Assembly to undertake a bipartisan fact-finding investigation. They claimed that most of the current investigation targets and subjects of search and seizure by the police SIH are individuals who were active on the scene, excluding those responsible for prior safety management.

Meanwhile, the Fire Headquarters of the National Public Officials Labor Union held a press conference on the same day, condemning the government's behavior of shifting blame. The Fire Headquarters of the National Public Officials Labor Union raised their voices demanding an immediate halt to investigations targeting lower-ranking firefighters and punishment for those responsible.

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