Former Yongsan Public Health Center Chief Receives Suspended Prison Sentence for Falsifying Itaewon Disaster Arrival Time

Choi Jaewon, former head of the Yongsan District Public Health Center in Seoul, who was put on trial for instructing an employee to falsify the arrival time at the scene of the Itaewon disaster, has been sentenced to a suspended prison term.

Yonhap News

On August 20, Judge Park Jiweon of the Seoul Western District Court’s Criminal Division 1 sentenced former director Choi, who was charged with falsifying and using official electronic records, to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered 160 hours of community service.

The court stated, "Official electronic records related to a grave disaster were falsified," and pointed out, "Victims and bereaved families are petitioning for a severe punishment."

However, the court added, "There is insufficient evidence to conclude that the defendant actively ensured false information was recorded in each official document," and explained, "After encountering the shocking incident and staying up all night, the defendant’s cognitive and judgment abilities were impaired."

Former director Choi was put on trial for instructing an employee to record his arrival time at the Itaewon disaster scene as 11:30 p.m.-about 30 minutes earlier than the actual time-in five reports related to the 2022 Itaewon disaster. Previously, in November last year, prosecutors had requested a two-year prison sentence for Choi.

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