Prosecution Requests Supplementary Investigation for Arrest Warrant of Choi Seongbeom, Yongsan Fire Station Chief

Yongsan Fire Station Chief Choi Seong-beom is being summoned to the Itaewon Accident Special Investigation Headquarters in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The Special Investigation Headquarters (SIH) investigating the Itaewon disaster applied for an arrest warrant for Choi Seong-beom, the head of Yongsan Fire Station, but the prosecution requested supplementary investigation.

On the 28th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office announced that it requested a supplementary investigation regarding the arrest warrant for Chief Choi, who is accused of professional negligence resulting in death and injury. The SIH applied for Chief Choi's arrest warrant to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office on the morning of the previous day. The SIH stated, "We are confirming the specific details of the supplementary investigation."

With the prosecution requesting a supplementary investigation on Chief Choi's arrest warrant, securing the custody of key officials in the Yongsan area has been stalled. Previously, former Yongsan Police Chief Lee Im-jae was arrested on the 23rd, and Park Hee-young, head of Yongsan District Office, was arrested the day before.

Chief Choi is under investigation for exacerbating the disaster damage by failing to take appropriate measures despite the police's joint response request just before the disaster. Additionally, he is accused of not taking proper follow-up actions, such as doing nothing from 10:30 PM to 11:08 PM on the day of the disaster.

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