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A 55-year-old police officer who was supposed to be investigated in connection with the Itaewon Halloween tragedy was found dead at his home in Seoul on November 11.
The deceased officer, who has been identified by his surname Jeong, is in charge of intelligence affairs at the Yongsan Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the Itaewon entertainment district. On October 29, a deadly crowd in Itaewon claimed hundreds of lives, injuring many more. After the incident, several witnesses came forward, claiming that the Yongsan Police Station had been informed many times about the dangerous overcrowding in Itaewon hours before the fatal tragedy occurred. Around ten emergency call transcripts announced last week indicating that the tragedy could have been prevented. This only fueled public anger at police inaction, which claimed hundreds of young lives.
Investigators raided the Yongsan Police Station along with the fire station and local authorities’ offices to look for evidence that could prove officials’ negligence in responding to reports of the crisis. Commissioner General of the South Korean National Police Yoon Hee Keun has stated that an intelligence chief at Yongsan station will be investigated for ordering to delete records from the night of the tragedy. It is alleged that Jeong tried to cover up Yongsan station’s inaction by removing an intelligence report warning the police department of a possible security crisis on October 29.
He faces charges of abuse of power, destruction of evidence and professional negligence resulting in death. Jeong was suspended on Wednesday, November 9th. Two days later, he was found dead at his home by his relatives at around 12:45 p.m. KST. According to reports, there was no suicide note at the scene, but he called his colleagues earlier in the day, hinting at suicide. Based on the circumstances of Jeong’s death, the police will most likely close the case.
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