SEOUL, A prosecutorial committee of outside experts recommended Monday that Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) chief Kim Kwang-ho be indicted over the Itaewon crowd crush.
Following a discussion that lasted more than seven hours, the 15-member committee recommended prosecutors indict Kim in a 9-6 decision.
The SMPA chief had been probed on charges of professional negligence in connection with the Oct. 29, 2022, tragedy that killed 159 people, mostly those in their 20s.
The committee, however, recommended against the indictment of former Yongsan Fire Station chief Choi Seong-beom in a 1-14 decision.
The investigation into the fatal crowd crush had been left unconcluded for more than a year since police wrapped up their probe and referred the case to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office on Jan. 13 last year.
The special police investigation team concluded the crowd crush was a “man-made” disaster caused by authorities’ failure to come up with disaster prevention measures and respond promptly
to an emergency situation, referring 23 officials to the prosecution.
The district prosecutors office said it will make its final decision upon close analysis of evidence, fact and legal principles based on investigation results and the committee’s decision.
Under the regulations of the Supreme Prosecutors Office, prosecutors are advised to respect the committee’s decision but are not mandated to comply with it.
The prosecution launches an investigative review committee on cases that come under intense public scrutiny. Fifteen members of a pool of 150 to 300 outside experts are randomly chosen to take part in the committee.
Source: Yonhap News Agency