Special Investigation Headquarters to Submit Arrest Warrants for Lee Im-jae, Park Hee-young, and Others as Early as Tomorrow

Former Yongsan Police Chief (Senior Superintendent) Lee Im-jae, who was charged with a warrant over the inadequate response to the Itaewon disaster and allegations of deleting information reports, is leaving the court after completing the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) at the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Police Agency's Special Investigation Headquarters (Special Investigation HQ), which is investigating the Itaewon disaster, is expected to collectively apply for arrest warrants for key suspects, including former Yongsan Police Station Chief Lee Im-jae, as early as the 19th.

According to the police on the 18th, the Special Investigation HQ is examining the necessity of arresting police officers and public officials from Yongsan District Office and fire authorities who are jointly charged with professional negligence resulting in death or injury, while conducting final reviews of the supplementary investigation status. In particular, it is reported that during the holidays, the Special Investigation HQ focused on legal reviews necessary for handling suspects rather than summoning key suspects or witnesses for questioning.

The Special Investigation HQ plans to additionally apply charges against former Chief Lee, including falsification and use of false official documents, for falsely recording the time of arrival at the scene, beyond the existing professional negligence resulting in death or injury charge for which a warrant was previously dismissed. The Special Investigation HQ concluded that former Chief Lee reviewed the situation report falsely stating he arrived at the scene 48 minutes earlier than he actually did and failed to correct it.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan District Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding three executives from Yongsan District Office, including District Chief Park Hee-young, arrest warrants will be applied for professional negligence resulting in death or injury for neglecting to prepare safety accident prevention measures during the Halloween period and inadequately responding to the disaster. The Special Investigation HQ also identified circumstances suggesting that District Chief Park and other Yongsan District Office executives replaced their mobile phones with the intent to destroy evidence ahead of the full-scale investigation.

The Special Investigation HQ has also been carefully considering arrest investigations for fire officials, including Yongsan Fire Station Chief Choi Seong-beom. Additionally, they have been reviewing the possibility of applying for arrest warrants against fire officials from the Fire Agency suspected of falsifying documents related to the operation of the Central Emergency Rescue Control Team (Central Control Team) on the day of the disaster.

The pre-arrest suspect hearings (warrant hearings) for these individuals are expected to be held this week at the Seoul Western District Court. In this case, Judge Kim Yumi, who previously dismissed the warrant for former Chief Lee, is likely to preside over the warrant hearings again. At the Seoul Western District Court, two warrant judges take turns handling warrant hearings weekly, and this week is Judge Kim’s turn.

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