“To sum up the fact that it was not easy to issue an order to leave the office, it is difficult to admit the negligence in the affairs of the defendants.”
Supreme Court of Seoul Central District Law No. 417 on the 15th. This is the conclusion made by the 22nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Deputy Chief Judge Yang Cheol-han), including former Maritime Police Commissioner Kim Seok-gyun, who was charged with killing a passenger during the Sewol ferry disaster. In the first trial, former Commissioner Kim was acquitted of the charges of negligence and manslaughter on the job. Nine senior maritime police officers, including former West Sea Regional Maritime Police Commissioner Kim Soo-hyun, who were also handed over to trial were also found acquitted.
Former Maritime Police Commissioner Kim Seok-gyun, who is accused of’failed to rescue the Sewol ferry’, is expressing his feelings after being acquitted at a first trial trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 15th. News 1
However, the court was convicted of former Mokpo Maritime Police Chief Kim Moon-hong on the charge of having a subordinate to write a false official document stating that he ordered to leave the ship on the day of the Sewol ferry disaster (abuse of ex officio), and sentenced to 1 year and 6 months of imprisonment for 3 years. Sentenced. His aunt, former captain of the 3009 Navy, was also sentenced to six months in prison and two years of probation.
Former Commissioner Kim and others were handed over to trial in February of last year on charges of killing 303 passengers and injuring 142 people for failing to fulfill their rescue duties during the Sewol ferry disaster on April 16, 2014. The prosecution said that former Commissioner Kim had to understand the situation on the site and command the passengers to get out of the ship quickly, but it was reported that rescue personnel were delayed entering the hull and violated the duty of rescue, and requested a safe five years at a decision trial.
Law “At the time, it was difficult to judge the imminent sinking of the Coast Guard Command”
The court believed that there were circumstances in which the passengers could not be dismissed from the Coast Guard. Before the rescue team arrived at the scene of the accident, the poor communication situation made it difficult for the command to judge that the sinking was imminent. The judge said, “There was a situation in which communication was not smooth between the situation room and the air rescue team at the beginning of the accident due to technical problems, etc.,” and said, “It is difficult to see that the accused is acknowledged for negligence in the work related to the specific rescue mission.”
Even after the rescue team arrived at the scene of the accident, the judge said, “The defendants can predict the situation in which the captain and crew of the Sewol abandon their rescue duty and escape, or the passengers of the Sewol ferry remain unprepared for departing and remain according to the onboard broadcast. I don’t think there would have been,” he explained.
At that time, the captains and crew of the Sewol ferry communicated to the Jindo VTS (ship traffic control system), saying, “People who could escape were broadcasted to try to escape.” After hiding their identity, they boarded the 123 security boat and exited the site. It means that it would have been difficult to predict the situation and make a judgment.
The Sewol ferry is stationed at Mokpo New Port in Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do on the afternoon of the 16th, the sixth anniversary of the 4·16 Sewol ferry disaster. Mokpo-freelancer Jeongpil Jang
He also added that it was difficult for the command to recognize the urgency of the situation, citing internal defects in the hull. The judge said, “According to the results of the investigation, the Sewol ferry tilted at an angle of about 0.15 degrees from the beginning of the accident to around 9:45 am, and then tilted sharply.” It was difficult to predict that it would sink rapidly in about 10 minutes from 9:38 to 44.”
法 “A case that hurts a lot…I will accept criticism of the judgment”
416 Family Council Executive Chairman Yoo Gyeong-geun held a press conference after being acquitted of the maritime police commanders, including former Maritime Police Commissioner Kim Seok-gyun, at a trial for violating the duty of care in business during the Sewol ferry disaster held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 15th. Complaining of pain related to breathing after finishing. Newsis
On this day, the bereaved families who filled the auditorium also shouted, “Does this make sense” after hearing the sentence. After the judgment was conscious of this, the judge said, “The Sewol ferry accident that occurred in 2014 was a case that seriously hurt many victims, families, and all the people who had to watch the situation on the screen, so it must be evaluated in various aspects.” It is natural that various evaluations will be made on the site, and the judges will also accept criticism for such evaluations.”
Bereaved Family “The name of the special means is wasteful”… Protest to President Moon
After the sentence was over, Yoo Gyeong-geun, chairman of the 4·16 Sewol disaster family council, criticized the prosecution at a meeting with reporters, saying, “It was the result of the Sewol ferry disaster special investigation team (special means) inviting itself”. Chairman Yoo pointed out that “there were only two of the 17 special means, but one of them, today’s trial, ended innocent.” Then to President Moon Jae-in, “How did you see the trial today? Didn’t you convince us that way Didn’t you see the results of the investigation and promised to come out if it was not enough?” he raised his voice.
Commissioner Kim Jeon said, “I first thank the court for making a fair and wise judgment.” He said, “I am sorry that I could not prevent the accident as a person who was responsible for the safety of the victims’ families once again. He said, “I’m giving you words of consolation.” On the other hand, the prosecution announced plans to appeal the sentence of the first trial, saying, “It is difficult to understand the results.”
Reporter Park Hyun-joo [email protected]