Former Seoul police chief acquitted over Itaewon crowd crush incident

On Oct. 29, 2022, a deadly crowd crush occurred in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, resulting in the tragic deaths of 159 people.

The Seoul Western District Court announced today (Oct. 17) that it acquitted Kim Kwang-ho, the highest-ranking police officer charged in connection with the incident, in contrast to the three-year prison sentence it imposed on the former police chief of the affected district in September.

Kim Kwang-ho, former chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, was accused of delayed disaster response, inadequate command, and poor coordination. He was indicted in January this year by prosecutors on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury.

According to the court, considering the evidence presented by the prosecution, it is difficult to conclude that Kim clearly violated any duty of care during the pre-incident phase or on the day of the Itaewon tragedy.

Related News:

155 people killed in Itaewon stampede

S.Korean PM says Halloween crowd crush blamed on incomplete crowd management