A somber atmosphere enveloped Seoul as citizens gathered in a marquee adorned with photographs of the victims to commemorate the first anniversary of the horrifying Halloween crush that claimed the lives of 159 individuals during the festive revelries in the popular Itaewon nightlife area. The incident, which occurred on October 29, 2022, tarnished the post-pandemic holiday celebrations that had drawn tens of thousands, predominantly in their 20s and 30s, to Seoul’s vibrant Itaewon district.
In a significant development, the head of Seoul’s Metropolitan Police Agency, Kim Kwang-ho, has been formally charged with professional negligence over the tragic incident, as announced by the Western District Prosecutors’ Office in the South Korean capital. The charges allege that Kim’s failure to implement necessary measures, such as deploying adequate police forces and ensuring effective command and supervision, directly contributed to the devastating outcome on that fateful night.
Kim, the highest-ranking police official implicated in the tragedy, faces charges of professional negligence resulting in injury or death but remains unincarcerated. The prosecutors assert that, despite being able to foresee potential dangers arising from overcrowding in the nightlife area, Kim neglected his duty as the chief of the SMPA.
This indictment follows a protracted decision-making process by the prosecution, which had earlier charged officials from the police, rescue, and district offices for their alleged involvement in mishandling the crush. The heads of the police station in Seoul’s Yongsan district and the Yongsan Ward office were also charged previously, but Kim’s involvement had been a subject of uncertainty for over a year.
The statement released on Friday implicated Kim, along with the chief of the Yongsan Police Station and the head of the Yongsan Ward office, stating that they collectively caused the deaths of 158 individuals and injuries to 312 individuals due to professional negligence.
Families of the victims expressed their dissatisfaction with the prolonged decision-making process, urging Chief Kim to step down immediately and face trial. In a statement, they called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to dismiss Kim promptly.
The incident further compounds a series of preventable disasters that have eroded public confidence in authorities, including the 2014 Sewol ferry sinking that claimed 304 lives. Despite South Korea’s impressive transformation into Asia’s fourth-largest economy and a global cultural powerhouse, such incidents have underscored the need for a critical examination of public safety measures and accountability within the nation.
