Itaewon Tragedy Joint Investigation Team Ends Activities After 1 Year and 2 Months... Oh Se-hoon and Others Not Indicted

The joint prosecution and police investigation team, which has been investigating the causes of the Itaewon tragedy and secondary harm against victims and bereaved families, ended its activities today (the 30th), 1 year and 2 months after its launch.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced that it is terminating the operation of the "Joint Investigation Team for the Truth-Finding of the Itaewon Tragedy" following the implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Act and other measures.

The joint investigation team was established at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office on July 30 of last year, about 2 years and 9 months after the occurrence of the Itaewon tragedy, upon the instructions of President Lee Jae-myung.

Based on requests for investigation from the Special Investigation Commission, the bereaved families' council, and individual bereaved families, the joint team indicted the former head of the Yongsan Fire Station without detention on April 24 on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury.

It also brought three individuals to trial under detention for secondary offenses, such as the indictment and detention of a judicial scrivener who posted numerous defamatory articles related to the tragedy.

Continuing its investigation thereafter, the joint team concluded its activities by issuing non-indictment dispositions for parts of the remaining cases deemed difficult to prove charges for, while transferring parts requiring continued investigation to the National Police Agency.

The subjects of non-indictment included Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's professional negligence resulting in death and injury charges for failing to take necessary measures before the disaster, and former Yongsan District Mayor Park Hee-young's evidence destruction charges for replacing her mobile phone after the disaster.

Charges of dereliction of duty against former Acting Fire Commissioner Nam Hwa-young for allegedly neglecting his duties as the head of the Central Emergency Rescue Control Center, and dereliction of duty charges against public officials affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and others for allegedly overlooking false reporting contents during a parliamentary investigation, were also closed with non-indictment dispositions.

The joint team explained that after reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) data, mobile phone forensic data, statements from relevant parties, and legal principles, it was determined difficult to recognize their charges.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office stated, "Even after the end of the joint investigation team's operation and the transition to the prosecution service, the prosecution will ensure that investigations continue seamlessly through substantive cooperation with the police."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.