Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure at Seoul Police Agency and Yongsan District Office in 'Itaewon Disaster' (Comprehensive)

10 Locations Including Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, National Police Agency, Yongsan Police Station, and Yongsan District Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] The prosecution has launched a search and seizure operation at 10 locations, including the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, in connection with the Itaewon tragedy. This marks the start of supplementary investigations into some suspects who have been transferred into custody.

On the 10th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office announced that investigators were conducting search and seizure operations at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the National Police Agency, Yongsan Police Station, and Yongsan District Office, among others. This is the first time the prosecution has directly conducted search and seizure related to the Itaewon tragedy.

The Special Investigation Headquarters (Special HQ) investigating the Itaewon tragedy is reportedly securing materials to support charges against former Seoul Metropolitan Police Public Safety Information Foreign Affairs Division Chief Park Seongmin, former Yongsan Police Station Chief Lee Imjae, and Yongsan District Mayor Park Heeyoung, who were sent to prosecution in custody. Lee, the former police chief, and Mayor Park are facing charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury.

Former Division Chief Park is charged with instructing the destruction of evidence and damaging public electronic records. Investigations revealed that Park ordered frontline intelligence chiefs via messenger to delete intelligence reports warning that crowds could gather in Itaewon on Halloween Day. Lee and Mayor Park, who face charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury, are reported to have failed to take appropriate measures before and after the tragedy, such as arriving late at the scene or neglecting preventive measures.

Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether the investigation will extend to so-called 'higher-ups.' According to police on the 6th, the Special HQ is currently reviewing the legal aspects without conducting further investigations into higher administrative bodies such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. A Special HQ official stated, "We will announce the final conclusion regarding the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Seoul Metropolitan Government by next week," adding, "As the investigation moves to higher institutions, the duty of prior prevention and primary responsibility become less clear." The official also added, "We are reviewing the necessity of investigations concerning Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin and Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon."

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