A South Korean court has handed down prison sentences to three police officers for their mishandling of a tragic incident during the 2022 Halloween celebrations in Seoul. The incident, which took place in the bustling Itaewon district, resulted in the deaths of nearly 160 individuals, making it one of the most significant peacetime disasters in South Korea.
The court found the former chief of Seoul's Yongsan police station guilty of professional negligence resulting in death and sentenced him to three years in prison. Another Yongsan police officer received a two-year prison term, while a third officer was given a suspended two-year sentence.
The court determined that the overcrowding that led to the tragic crush was not a natural disaster and could have been prevented or mitigated if the officers had adequately prepared for the crowd, promptly alerted others to the danger, and supervised their colleagues effectively.
While the police officers and prosecutors have the option to appeal the ruling, no top-level officials have been charged or held accountable for the incident, drawing criticism from bereaved families and opposition politicians.
The court also acquitted the head of the Yongsan ward office and three other ward officials, stating that a ward office did not have the legal authority to control or disperse a crowd of people.
The acquittal of the ward officials has sparked outrage among bereaved family members, with one representative expressing disbelief and stating that the decision is unacceptable.
An earlier police special investigation revealed that both police and municipal officials had failed to implement effective crowd control measures despite anticipating a large turnout in Itaewon. The investigation also highlighted that police had disregarded hotline calls from pedestrians warning of the growing crowds before the situation turned tragic.
