Prosecution Seeks 1-Year Prison Sentence for Hamilton Hotel CEO on Itaewon Alley Illegal Extension Charges

The prosecution has demanded a one-year prison sentence for Lee Mo (76), the CEO of Hamilton Hotel, who is on trial for illegally extending a building in the alley where the Itaewon tragedy occurred.

Lee Mo, the representative of Hamilton Hotel, who was indicted without detention on charges of erecting illegal structures and occupying roads without permission around the hotel where the Itaewon tragedy occurred, is entering the Seoul Western District Court on the morning of the 6th to attend the trial.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 6th, during the sentencing hearing presided over by Judge Jeong Geum-young of the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 4, the prosecution requested a one-year prison term for Lee, who is charged with violating the Building Act and Road Traffic Act. Additionally, the prosecution asked the court to impose a fine of 30 million won on Hamilton Tourism, the hotel operating corporation, and a fine of 20 million won on District, the leasing corporation. For Park Mo, the tenant and owner of the nearby pub 'Frost,' and Ahn Mo, the representative of the lounge bar 'Bronze,' the prosecution demanded eight months in prison each.

They are accused of erecting illegal structures around the main building of Hamilton Hotel and occupying the road without permission at the time of the Itaewon tragedy last October. Criticism has been raised that the alley became narrower due to the illegally extended building, which exacerbated the damage during the Itaewon tragedy.

In his final defense, Lee's lawyer argued, "He did not directly carry out the unauthorized extension but merely tolerated it in the spirit of coexistence with the tenants," and added, "The installation of the partition wall was an administrative measure by officials to prevent the heat and noise from the air conditioner outdoor units from reaching pedestrians." However, Lee stated, "As the manager of Hamilton Hotel, I offer my condolences and sympathies to those who lost their lives and their families in the mysterious and unforeseen incident that occurred in the alley beside the company."

The sentencing is scheduled for the morning of November 29.

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