Kim, 60, was indicted in January this year on charges of professional negligence in connection with the worst human avalanche in South Korea’s history. This went viral around the world due to its horror, as it left 159 dead.
The Itaewon tragedy occurred on October 29, 2022 during the Halloween weekend, in the Seoul neighborhood of Itaewonfamous for its nightlife.
The conclusions of the Seoul Court
“Given the evidence presented by the prosecution, it was not strictly proven that the defendant’s professional negligence was connected to the occurrence of the tragedy or its aggravation,” the Seoul Western District Court reported.
Authorities also said that the reports or text messages Kim received from police officers at base posts were apparently insufficient to raise concerns about a possible large-scale accident due to overcrowding and to suggest the need for countermeasures at that time. moment.
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Prosecutors had demanded a five-year prison sentence, without hard labor, for Kim, accusing him of failing to take necessary security measures and deploying police forces despite apparent security risks from the crowding, thereby aggravating the number of fatalities.
Kim resigned from his position in June after he was suspended from his duties as Seoul police chief due to the tragedy.
Following the court’s ruling, relatives of those killed in the Itaewon tragedy issued a statement, urging the prosecution to file an appeal against the court’s decision, referring to it as “a fallacious verdict that denies the role of the judicial system.” .
Source: https://reporteasia.com/sociedad/2024/10/19/el-exjefe-de-policia-de-seul-es-absuelto-por-la-tragedia-de-itaewon-de-2022/
