More than a year after the deadly Halloween tragedy in Seoul, the South Korean capital's police chief has been accused of negligence at the celebration, which claimed the lives of at least 158 people in October 2022.
Kim Kwang Ho was accused of negligence “for failing to take necessary measures, such as deploying a sufficient number of police officers.” The prosecutor also ruled that he did not provide adequate supervision.
According to local media, Kim is the highest-ranking police official charged in connection with the deadly Halloween celebration. Two high-ranking South Korean police officers were previously arrested for allegedly trying to cover up the inaction of the police force. Kim has so far remained out of the picture.
On October 29, 2022, more than 100,000 people flocked to an entertainment district in Seoul to celebrate the first Halloween since the coronavirus pandemic. The local authorities and police did not take any measures against the large crowds, and even after calling the emergency number, no significant action was taken.
During the tribulation, most of them young women, a number of teenagers, and more than 25 foreigners died. Relatives of the victims demand that Kim “resign immediately” pending his trial.
