The police special investigation headquarters (special edition) decided to apply for arrest warrants early next week for major suspects, including Lee Im-jae, former chief of Yongsan Police Station.
Today (17th), the special edition is reviewing the need for an arrest investigation and the possibility of issuing a warrant for the criminal charges of police, Yongsan-gu Office, and fire department officials who are subject to joint criminal charges of business negligence and manslaughter.
The special version was originally planned to apply for a second arrest warrant for some suspects, including former chief Lee this week.
However, as the public officials suspects are tied together as co-perpetrators who share responsibility for the disaster in terms of law, applying for an arrest warrant at once is more effective in persuading the judge, and the investigation is being sorted out over the weekend.
It is known that the special edition took the lead in reapplying for the arrest warrant for the former chief.
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Former chief Lee failed to take precautionary measures despite a report on safety measures requiring more police personnel during Halloween and failed to take appropriate relief measures despite being aware of the disaster, resulting in increased loss of life. An arrest warrant was requested, but was dismissed on the 5th. That's it.
The special version added the charge of having a subordinate employee falsely state the time of his arrival at the scene in the situation report (creation and event of false public documents) in the second arrest warrant.
Shortly after arriving at the scene, Lee himself reviewed a situation report falsely stating that he had arrived at the scene 48 minutes earlier than he actually did, and did not correct it, the special section concluded.
Special Bon decided not to include his charge of neglect of duty in the arrest warrant for reasons such as not intentionally arriving late at the scene.
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Three senior officials of the Yongsan-gu Office, including the mayor Park Hee-young (61), are expected to undergo an arrest review for the first time.
Mayor Park is accused of negligently preparing safety accident prevention measures during Halloween and inappropriately coping with the disaster (business negligence and actual death).
The special version believes that the charges of local governments, which have primary responsibility for preparing for and providing relief in disasters in accordance with the 'Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management' (Disaster and Safety Act), are heavier than the police.
On the other hand, it is known that arrest warrants for firefighting officials, including Choi Seong-beom (52), chief of the Yongsan Fire Station, are being considered until the last minute.
Chief Choi is accused of causing damage to life (work negligence and actual death) due to poor handling, such as issuing the second stage of the response late immediately after the disaster.
The special version was initially planned to apply for an arrest warrant as Chief Choi consistently denied the allegation, but was unable to come to a final conclusion due to unexpected public opposition.
It is known that the special edition is also carefully reviewing the arrest investigation of public officials belonging to the National Fire Agency who are accused of falsely writing documents related to the operation of the Central Emergency Rescue Control Group (Central Control Group) on the day of the disaster.
(Photo = Yonhap News)