During the Sewol ferry disaster in 2014, the command department, including former Maritime Police Commissioner Kim Seok-gyun, who was handed over to trial for having killed passengers for failing to take proper initial measures, was acquitted at the first trial.
The 22nd Division of the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Agreement (presiding judge Yang Chul-han) pleaded acquittal to former Commissioner Kim, who was accused of negligence and injuries on business today (15th).
In addition to former Commissioner Kim, nine former and current officials in the maritime affairs, who were charged with the same charges, were also acquitted.
"It is difficult to say that the defendants have been convicted of their negligence in their business," the judge explained.
They were handed over to trial in February of last year on charges of killing 303 people and injuring 142 people because they did not fulfill their duty of care necessary for rescue during the Sewol ferry disaster on April 16, 2014.
The prosecution's special investigation team for the Sewol ferry disaster determined that Kim and others had violated their duty to rescue life by inducing them to immediately evacuate and enter the hull by grasping the situation on the site of the Sewol ferry and commanding and controlling it.
In response, the prosecution requested the court to sentence officials to imprisonment, such as asking former Commissioner Kim for five years of imprisonment at the decision hearing.
On the other hand, former Commissioner Kim and others expressed regret for the accident and apologized, but claimed innocence, saying that it could not be legally a sin.
(Photo = Yonhap News)