'I'm so, so sorry': Driver apologizes for fatal Seoul City Hall crash that claimed nine lives

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'I'm so, so sorry': Driver apologizes for fatal Seoul City Hall crash that claimed nine lives

Published: 30 Jul. 2024, 11:11 Updated: 30 Jul. 2024, 11:19

The driver responsible for a deadly car crash near Seoul City Hall that claimed nine lives appears at Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday to attend a hearing to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant for him on charges of plowing into a sidewalk near Seoul City Hall in Jung District, central Seoul, on July 1 which resultrf in 16 casualties, including none deaths. [NEWS1]

The driver responsible for a deadly car crash near Seoul City Hall in early July that claimed nine lives issued an apology to the victims and their families on Tuesday.

The 68-year-old driver, surnamed Cha, appeared at Seoul Central District Court to attend a hearing to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant for him on charges of plowing into a sidewalk near Seoul City Hall in Jung District, central Seoul, on July 1, resulting in 16 casualties, including nine deaths.

When reporters asked him about his grounds for claiming that the accident was caused by sudden unintended acceleration, Cha only said, "I am deeply sorry to those who passed away.”

Cha has consistently stated that the crash resulted from sudden unintended acceleration and that the brakes were stiff and did not function at the time of the crash.

The Seoul Central District Court began a hearing at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to decide whether to issue an arrest warrant for the driver for potential violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents.

When asked about the scuff marks on his shoes, which indicate that acceleration possibly took place, Cha replied, “I don't know. I'm sorry.”

To the victims, he said, “I'm so, so sorry to the bereaved families and the people who died.”

Previously, on July 15, the National Forensic Service told police that it believes the driver was likely at fault due to negligence.

BY JEONG HYE-JEONG, WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]