South Korea panel charges ex-president Yoon for missing Itaewon hearing

The Special Investigation Committee for Truth-Finding and Preventing Recurrence of the Itaewon disaster, known as the 10·29 Itaewon disaster special committee, said on Thursday that it will press charges against former President Yoon Suk-yeol for failing to attend a hearing. The decision was announced by committee chair Song Gi-chun during the panel’s 53rd meeting, held while the hearing was in recess.

Yoon had been summoned as a witness for the committee’s truth-seeking inquiry into the Itaewon crowd crush but did not appear, citing ongoing court proceedings as the reason for his absence. The hearing took place at Bankers’ Association Building in central Seoul’s Jung district.

Separately, the Seoul Central District Court, which is handling a case related to alleged Pyongyang unmanned aerial vehicle activities, adjusted Yoon’s trial date at the special committee’s request.

Under the Itaewon disaster special law, a person who fails to appear without a legitimate reason or who refuses to take an oath or testify may be punished with up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won.

The hearing was conducted at the Bankers’ Association Building, with the committee noting the 53rd meeting occurred during a break in the proceedings. Yonhap News Agency provided the accompanying photo.

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