Five Arrest Warrants Issued for Inadequate Response to 'Pohang Underground Parking Flooding' That Killed 7; Mayor Lee Kang-deok Booked Without Detention

Gyeongbuk Police Agency

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-sun] Regarding the flooding accident in the underground parking lot in Pohang, arrest warrants have been requested for five people, and about ten others have been booked without detention.

On the 24th, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency announced that they had requested arrest warrants for five individuals related to the Pohang 'underground parking lot accident,' including one public official, two Korea Rural Community Corporation officials, and two apartment management office personnel, on charges of professional negligence resulting in death or injury.

The police are also investigating about ten people, including Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok, who have been booked without detention.

The police believe that during the approach of Typhoon Hinnamnor in September, these individuals responded inadequately, which increased casualties due to heavy rain, and have applied charges of professional negligence resulting in death or injury.

The five individuals for whom arrest warrants have been requested are expected to have their pre-trial detention hearings (warrant substantive hearings) early next week, and a decision on whether to issue the warrants will be made no later than the 30th.

A police official stated, "In the case of Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang, an arrest warrant has not been requested, but as the final person responsible, he has been sent for prosecution without detention," adding, "The mayor has recently been postponing investigation schedules due to personal health reasons."

In September, under the influence of Typhoon No. 11 'Hinnamnor,' the Naengcheon River in Pohang overflowed, resulting in nine deaths in apartment underground parking lots and other locations.

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