Driver Reversing at Sicheong Station Arrested on Suspicion of Flight Risk (Comprehensive)

Cha Mo (68), the driver responsible for the wrong-way driving accident at Seoul City Hall Station, was arrested on the 30th.

Kim Seok-beom, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, issued an arrest warrant after conducting a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant substantive examination) for Cha, citing concerns that he might flee.

As Cha entered the courtroom for the warrant substantive examination that morning, he bowed his head and said, "I am deeply sorry to the deceased and their families."

After about 40 minutes, upon leaving the courtroom, he repeatedly responded with "I'm sorry" to reporters' questions such as "What parts did you mainly clarify?"

Cha, who had been hospitalized and receiving treatment at a nursing hospital in the Seoul metropolitan area due to fractured ribs, limped with his right leg as he appeared in court. He wore a hat pulled down, glasses, and a mask, but did not use a wheelchair or crutches.

According to the police, on the 1st at around 9:27 p.m., Cha was driving out of the underground parking lot of the Westin Chosun Hotel near City Hall Station when he accelerated and drove in the wrong direction. The accident resulted in 9 deaths and 7 people, including Cha and his spouse, sustaining serious or minor injuries.

Considering the severity of the crime, the police applied for an arrest warrant for Cha on the 24th. Factors such as the large scale of damage, the lack of victim recovery, and Cha's refusal to admit fault were also taken into account.

Contrary to the National Forensic Service's expert opinion indicating a high possibility that the accident was caused by driver negligence, Cha consistently claimed in three police investigations that the accident occurred due to a vehicle defect.

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