In South Korea, the chief of Seoul’s metropolitan police has been charged with negligence over the 2022 Halloween stampede that left 159 people dead in the district of Itaewon.

Kim Kwang-ho — who heads up Seoul’s Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) — was on Friday charged with professional negligence resulting in injury or death, according to the local prosecutor’s office.

Prosecutors allege that Kim, who becomes the highest ranking police official to be charged — “did not take necessary measures, such as deploying sufficient police forces and ensuring proper command and supervision” on the day of the crush although he was able to “foresee potential dangers arising” from overcrowding in the area.

In January 2023, Kim and 22 other police and emergency officials were forwarded to the prosecution by an investigative team probing the incident.

On October 29 in 2022, tens of thousands of young partygoers crowded in the narrow alleys of the popular nightlife area of Itaewon to celebrate Halloween weekend, the first since coronavirus restrictions were lifted.

Officials were severely criticized and were accused of failing to act in time, despite receiving numerous emergency calls.

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