South Korean minister apologises over Halloween crush as police admit response was inadequate
- Interior Minister Lee Sang-min’s apology, police admission mark first time top officials have acknowledged responsibility for tragedy in Itaewon on Saturday night
- Police chief says force mishandled emergency calls about dangerous overcrowding hours before disaster struck
A South Korean minister on Tuesday apologised for failing to prevent the Halloween crowd surge that killed more than 150 people in Seoul, as the country’s police chief admitted “heavy responsibility” over the force’s mishandling of emergency calls about the disaster.
“As the government minister in charge of protecting people’s lives, I offer my deepest apology to the people,” said Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min in a speech at the National Assembly.
Police chief Yoon Hee-keun on Tuesday said he bore responsibility for failing to prevent the crush.
“I feel a heavy responsibility as the head of one of the related government offices,” he said. “Police will do their best to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.”
The comments marked the first time that top officials had acknowledged responsibility for apparent policing lapses in the Itaewon nightlife zone, where some 100,000 people had been expected to gather for Halloween festivities on Saturday night.
Prime Minister Han Duk-soo on Tuesday, however, said the government had “limitless responsibilities” for protecting people’s lives.