A South Korean court on Thursday acquitted Kim Kwang-ho, the former police chief of Seoul, of criminal charges related to the tragic Halloween crowd crush that occurred in 2022, resulting in the deaths of 159 individuals. Kim, who had resigned from his position as the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency following his indictment in January, faced accusations of contributing to the fatalities through negligence. His case marked a significant moment as he was the highest-ranking official held accountable for one of South Korea’s most devastating peacetime disasters.
In its ruling, a three-judge panel from the Western Seoul District Court concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Kim had intentionally neglected his responsibilities to avert the catastrophe. This decision has raised questions about accountability in the wake of such a significant loss of life.
On the fateful night of October 29, 2022, thousands of revelers flocked to Itaewon, a vibrant nightlife district in central Seoul, to celebrate the first post-pandemic Halloween weekend without restrictions. However, as the crowd grew, many found themselves trapped in a narrow, sloping alleyway, resulting in a dangerous and suffocating crush.
In the aftermath, prosecutors indicted 23 individuals, primarily mid-level police and civilian officials, as part of an investigation led by the national police agency. Despite these indictments, families of the victims have expressed their discontent, alleging that the inquiry has been inadequate and labeling it a “whitewash.”
In a separate legal proceeding last month, Lee Im-jae, the former chief of police in Yongsan District, which encompasses Itaewon, received a three-year prison sentence for his role in the negligence that contributed to the fatalities. Conversely, Park Hee-young, the elected mayor of the district, was acquitted of similar charges.
Prosecutors have indicated their intention to appeal the verdicts in those cases, as they had sought a more severe punishment for Mr. Lee. They now have a two-week window to determine whether to challenge the ruling regarding Mr. Kim.
In response to the public outcry and dissatisfaction among victims’ families regarding the previous investigation by the national police agency, the National Assembly took action in May by passing legislation that mandates a new inquiry led by an independent panel.
