Yongsan Health Center Director Summoned as Witness: "I Will Respond to the Investigation Sincerely"

Yongsan District Mayor Park Hee-young Visits for Forensic Observation

Choi Jae-won, head of the Yongsan-gu Public Health Center, appeared on the 22nd as a witness before the Special Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency investigating the Itaewon disaster.
Photo by Oh Kyu-min moh011@

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Gyumin and Gong Byungseon] The Police Agency's Special Investigation Headquarters (Special Investigation HQ), which is investigating the Itaewon tragedy, summoned Choi Jaewon, head of the Yongsan-gu Health Center, as a witness for questioning on the 22nd.

Choi arrived at the Mapo Police Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where the Special Investigation HQ is located, at around 9:46 a.m. to undergo questioning, stating, "I will respond sincerely to the investigation."

The Special Investigation HQ plans to examine whether Choi arrived late at the scene on the day of the Itaewon tragedy and was negligent in directing rescue efforts. It is known that Choi arrived at the scene at around 11:30 p.m., one hour and fifteen minutes after the tragedy occurred at 10:15 p.m. on the 29th of last month, but returned to the district office citing the large crowd as the reason.

Choi is also suspected of falsifying internal reports of the district office. Although he arrived at the scene at 12:09 a.m. the day after the tragedy, the internal report of the district office states that he arrived at the scene at 11:30 p.m. on the day of the tragedy and directed rescue operations.

If it is revealed that Choi was aware of the tragedy but failed to take appropriate follow-up measures, he could face charges of dereliction of duty and professional negligence resulting in injury or death. On the day, Choi's lawyer stated regarding the possibility of being reclassified as a suspect, "We are not considering that at all," and added, "We will explain everything during the investigation."

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Park Heeyoung, head of Yongsan District Office, visited the Special Investigation HQ to observe the forensic analysis of the previously seized mobile phones and other devices. The Special Investigation HQ had summoned and questioned Park, who is suspected of professional negligence resulting in injury or death, on the 19th. It is expected that the Special Investigation HQ will summon Park again within two weeks to conduct further investigation based on the forensic analysis results.

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