Itaewon crush officials face perjury charges over 2022 disaster failures
A special investigation committee has taken legal action against two officials linked to the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush. The disaster, which killed 159 people in a narrow alley, exposed failures in crowd control and emergency response. New allegations now target a former subway station chief and a local ward office head for misleading testimony and obstruction during the crisis.
The tragedy unfolded on October 29, 2022, when a surge of people packed into Itaewon’s narrow streets. Poor crowd management led to a deadly crush, leaving 159 dead. Investigators later found that emergency responses were delayed and disorganised.
A special committee, formed to probe the incident, has now accused the former chief of Itaewon subway station of perjury. She allegedly claimed no police request was made to skip the station during the disaster—a statement witnesses contradicted. After questioning multiple officials, the committee concluded her remarks were false. Separately, the committee will also file a complaint against Park Hee-young, head of the Yongsan ward office. She is accused of ordering staff to remove anti-government posters while the crush was ongoing. Investigators further allege she issued instructions that hindered officials from responding quickly to the crisis. The committee plans to pursue charges of abuse of power and perjury against her. Both cases stem from the committee’s broader investigation into the disaster’s causes and the actions of authorities that night.
The complaints mark a step toward potential legal consequences for officials involved in the Itaewon tragedy. If charges proceed, the former subway chief and Park Hee-young could face court proceedings over their roles in the disaster. The committee’s findings will now be passed to prosecutors for further review.
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