The joint prosecution-police investigation team for uncovering the truth about the deadly crowd crush in the nightlife district of Itaewon has indicted former Yongsan Fire Station chief Choi Seong-beom without detention.
The joint investigation team said on the 24th that it indicted former chief Choi without detention on charges of occupational negligence resulting in death and injury. Former chief Choi was investigated on the same charge after the disaster and received a non-indictment disposition in 2024.
However, the Special Investigation Committee for Fact-Finding and Prevention of Recurrence of the 10/29 Itaewon Disaster requested a reinvestigation of former chief Choi in January.
The joint investigation team concluded that former chief Choi could have fully recognized the risk of an accident due to crowd concentration before the disaster occurred but took no action. It also said that after the disaster, response measures including the rescue of victims were not taken properly in a timely manner.
The special committee also requested a reinvestigation of former on-site Head of Team Lee Bong-hak. The joint investigation team issued a non-indictment disposition regarding Lee's charge of occupational negligence resulting in death and injury.