▲ Police conduct search and seizure at the client's office and other locations regarding the Seosomun Overpass collapse.
The police are expanding their investigation into the Seosomun Overpass collapse, booking additional suspects in connection with the incident.
An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated during a regular press briefing held today (June 29) that "in addition to the existing four suspects, three more have been booked, bringing the total number of individuals under investigation to seven."
The newly booked suspects include two supervisors from the inspection firm and one site manager from the construction company.
The police are currently questioning approximately 45 people, including witnesses, and are analyzing materials seized on May 29 from seven locations, including the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Infrastructure Headquarters and the headquarters and site offices of both the prime and subcontractors.
The Seoul police official said, "We are conducting forensic analysis on evidence, such as debris from the site, in cooperation with other agencies including the National Forensic Service."
Regarding court testimony alleging that former Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung delivered a shopping bag containing money to independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, the police stated, "We have seen the court testimony, but it feels insufficient to launch an investigation based on that alone. Since it emerged in court, we need time to grasp the situation. We will continue to monitor the matter."
During the trial of independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo for alleged "nomination bribes" held on the 26th, a former employee of lawmaker Kim Byung-kee's office testified that former council member Kim Kyung had delivered a shopping bag, which appeared to contain money, to lawmaker Kim.
Addressing the prolonged nature of the investigation into lawmaker Kim, the police explained, "It is inevitable that time is needed to verify whether various allegations are true. The individuals involved are not linked to just one allegation, but are connected across multiple issues, which is why it has taken time."
They dismissed the possibility that the upcoming retirement of National Office of Investigation Chief Park Sung-ju at the end of this month would affect the pace of the investigation into lawmaker Kim.
Regarding the investigation into the "Tank Day" controversy at Starbucks, the police said, "We are analyzing the results of Shinsegae Group's internal audit and forensic data. We will continue to analyze materials and investigate relevant individuals, and we will consider compulsory investigation measures if necessary."
On the investigation into allegations of personal information leakage at Coupang, the police explained, "We have no plans to conclude the case without questioning the suspects who are currently staying abroad. We believe international judicial cooperation, such as extradition, is necessary and are working toward that."
Regarding the investigation into "speculative real estate" allegations involving People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, the police stated, "The case has been under investigation since last November following accusations of conflict of interest and violations of the Real Estate Real Name Act."
However, they drew a line regarding the possibility of summoning leader Jang, stating, "It does not seem to be at that stage yet."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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