South Korean Police Officers Sentenced for Role in Halloween Tragedy

seoul - Two police officers in South Korea have been convicted for their involvement in a Halloween tragedy that took place almost two years ago, resulting in the deaths of over 150 people. The officers were found guilty of failing to prevent the disaster, which led to a deadly stampede due to overcrowding on the streets.

Former police chief of Yongsan district, where the stampede occurred, has been sentenced to three years in prison. The officer in charge of the emergency call center received a two-year prison term. The judge ruled, 'It was foreseeable that a large crowd would be present in the narrow alley of Itaewon, leading to life-threatening situations during the Halloween weekend of 2022.' It was the first time since 2019 that Halloween was celebrated without restrictions, and there was insufficient crowd control to safely manage the mass of people.

Previously, two police officers had been sentenced to prison for attempting to cover up evidence in the aftermath of the tragedy, but this is the first time officers have been convicted for their direct involvement in the disaster. The former head of the police in Seoul is also currently on trial, facing a prosecution demand for a five-year sentence.