Forensic service finds driver likely at fault in deadly Seoul City Hall accident

The National Forensic Service (NFS) told police on Monday that it believes the driver was likely at fault in the accident near City Hall Station on July 1 that killed nine people, with police leaning toward driver negligence based on the results.

Flowers and notes are left on Monday at the scene of the July 1 accident near Seoul City Hall that took nine lives. Police on Monday announced that they had received an analysis report from the National Forensic Service last Thursday. [NEWS1]

The National Forensic Service (NFS) told police on Monday that it believes the driver was likely at fault in the accident near City Hall Station on July 1 that killed nine people, with police leaning toward driver negligence based on the results.

“We received the report from the NFS last Thursday and finalized the analysis," said Jo Ji-ho, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, at a regular press conference Monday regarding the progress of the investigation into the cause of the accident.

“Given the gravity of the matter and public interest surrounding the accident, we asked the NFS for an expedited forensic examination, and the results came back sooner than we expected.”

On July 1, a vehicle drove the wrong way down a one-way street near Seoul City Hall, striking pedestrians and the guardrails of sidewalks before hitting two other cars and halting. Nine people were killed and seven injured in the accident.

Police previously sent the Genesis G80 car driven by the 68-year-old driver, surnamed Cha, and the vehicle’s event data recorder (EDR) to the NFS on July 2, the day after the accident, for detailed identification and evaluation.

The NFS reportedly sent police the vehicle and EDR analysis results, including the finding that Cha had pressed the accelerator pedal nearly to the floor at the time of the accident.

It was also determined that the brake lights appeared on during the accident due to a diffuse reflection or a flicker caused by reflected light from street lamps or buildings.

“Based on the results of the NFS’s analysis, we are close to the substantive truth,” said Jo. “No matter how Cha’s statement comes out — of course, we have to consider his statement — but I don’t think there will be any further investigation necessary regarding what really happened.”

This suggests the police believe the accident was caused by Cha’s negligence, not a vehicle defect resulting in sudden unintended acceleration, which was Cha’s claim.

“Cha’s claims and statement will be respected as stated, and we must confirm the final truth,” Jo said. “The driver’s statement must be evaluated based on the NFS’s analysis report.”

During a first round of questioning on July 4, Cha claimed the vehicle had gone awry due to sudden unintended acceleration and that the brakes did not respond when he stepped on them.

Asked by a reporter whether police would apply for an arrest warrant if Cha does not admit his negligence even after the NFS analysis report, Jo said that the investigation process and contents "can be important factors in determining whether an arrest warrant is necessary.”

Cha, who was hospitalized until Monday at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno District with broken ribs and blood in his lungs from the accident, is scheduled to be transferred to another hospital later in the day.

“We went to question Cha several times, but he continued to claim pain and said it was difficult to give another statement, so the investigation into him has stopped without much progress,” said Jo. “The two weeks of hospitalization at a tertiary general hospital has expired today so he will be moved to another facility. There is much to ask the driver about, so we plan to investigate further.”

Regarding the controversy over insulting notes about the victims of the accident left at the crash site near Seoul City Hall, Jo said that police "have completed the investigation into the persons who left notes at the scene and are currently conducting an investigation into insulting comments left on the internet by others.”

Police previously booked and investigated two men, one in his 20s and another in his 40s, who had left insulting notes mocking the victims on charges of defamation.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Cyber Investigation Unit has begun an internal investigation into five additional cases of insulting internet posts about the victims.

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