Seoul police chief rejects 'election interference' claim over Seosomun overpass collapse probe

Police are pressing ahead with their investigation into the collapse of the Seosomun overpass in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, to determine responsibility for the accident. After opposition figures accused police of interfering in the upcoming election, investigators pushed back, saying they could not accept the characterization.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief Park Jeong-bo, speaking at a regular press briefing at the agency's headquarters in Jongno-gu on Sunday, said securing evidence early is critical to any investigation. "Conducting a search and seizure as quickly as possible to obtain materials is a key factor that determines whether an investigation succeeds or fails," he said.

The pushback came after police carried out a search and seizure at Seoul City Hall and other locations as part of the probe. Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon called the move "blatant election interference."

Park rejected that characterization. "We conducted the search and seizure purely from an investigative standpoint, with no other considerations, so it is difficult for us to agree with that criticism," he said.

Police have formed a dedicated investigative team for the Seosomun overpass collapse and have booked four safety managers at the contractor on charges of professional negligence resulting in death.

The 55-member team was assembled immediately after the accident. On May 29, police searched seven locations, including the contractor's offices, and seized relevant materials. Investigators are currently analyzing those materials.

Police are also considering summoning officials from the contractor, the supervision firm and the Seoul Metropolitan Government for questioning. "We are investigating with all possibilities open," a police official said. "We are currently analyzing the materials, and since this is a serious case in which lives were lost, we will conduct a thorough investigation."