A South Korean police officer, who was under investigation in connection with the deadly Halloween crush in Seoul, was discovered dead at his residence in what is believed to be a suicide.
The 55-year-old man, known as Inspector Jeong, was a local police intelligence officer.
Jeong was a suspect in an inquiry into the police’s response to the terrible crash that resulted in the deaths of 156 young people and the injuries of 196.
Wednesday he was suspended for allegedly covering up police misconduct.
Jeong was accused of directing coworkers to erase an intelligence report that warned of the possibility of a serious incident occurring at the Halloween event.
Friday about 12:45 local time, a family member discovered the officer at his house in northern Seoul, according to local media reports. The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The majority of victims who died in the crush on October 29 were Halloween revelers in the Itaewon nightlife district for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to some reports, more than 100,000 people arrived in the region that evening.
The initial report to police from Itaewon was made at 18:34 local time, some hours before the fatal crush in an alley off the main road.
Authorities reported that 137 cops were present in Itaewon that evening. However, they were outnumbered by the tens of thousands that had converged on the region.
The whole local police force and fire department are being probed for their failure to prevent and respond to the fatal crush.
The parents and loved ones of the victims have demanded accountability for the Seoul police’s response and planning before the major gathering in the Itaewon nightlife zone.
South Korea is in sorrow, and many young people feel betrayed by the government.
“I felt sorry at first. However, I am now angry. This incident may have been prevented, hence my presence. These individuals were roughly my age “Kang Hee-Joo, a 22-year-old university student, stated.
On 5 November, tens of thousands of people demonstrated in the vicinity of Seoul City Hall Plaza.
On stage, speakers took turns railing against the government with speeches interspersed with performances of mournful songs and Buddhist monks reciting prayers.
“Although the government is liable, it is searching for perpetrators from irrelevant organizations… The incident occurred because the government failed to perform its fundamental responsibilities “said one speaker.
“Government of Yoon Suk-yeol, resign! Government of Yoon Suk-yeol, resign!” The crowd chanted while waving candles and signs.
