Intelligence officer under investigation in relation to Itaewon crowd crush found dead

Yongsan Police Precinct [YONHAP]

 
An intelligence officer at Yongsan Police Precinct, known to be under investigation in connection with the Itaewon crowd crush, was found dead Friday.
 
The intelligence officer, surnamed Jeong, was found dead at his home around 12:45 p.m., according to police. 
 
Jeong was one of two officials from the intelligence unit at the Yongsan Police Precinct charged with abuse of authority and destruction of evidence.
 
He had been suspended from duties on Wednesday on suspicion of deleting an intelligence report that detailed concerns about large crowds in Itaewon ahead of Halloween. 
 
The other officer under investigation is Jeong’s boss who is surnamed Kim.
 
The Yongsan Police Precinct, along with the district’s fire station, are under investigation over allegations they failed to immediately and effectively respond to the crowd crush.
 
The Itaewon tragedy claimed 156 lives on the night of Oct. 29. 
 
 

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]