Seoul: The government and bereaved families held their first-ever joint commemoration ceremony at Seoul Plaza on Saturday evening, just days before the third anniversary of the deadly Itaewon crowd crush.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the event was co-hosted by an association representing the victims' families, a civic group on the disaster and the Seoul metropolitan government, as stated by the interior ministry. The tragic crowd crush occurred during Halloween festivities in a narrow alley of Itaewon's nightlife neighborhood in Seoul's central ward of Yongsan on October 29, 2022, resulting in 159 fatalities, including foreigners.
The commemoration began at 6:34 p.m., marking the moment when the first emergency call was made from the scene. However, a delayed response contributed to the significant death toll. Approximately 4,000 people, including Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, government officials, politicians, religious leaders, civic activists, and citizens, gathered to mourn the victims and console their families. Among the attendees were around 40 bereaved family members from 12 countries, invited by the government.
In his memorial address, Kim acknowledged the ongoing grief experienced by the families of the victims. "We are still not free from the cries of the bereaved families who demand truth and accountability," he stated. He emphasized the government's fundamental responsibility to protect the lives and safety of its citizens, while admitting, "A nation's first reason for being is to safeguard the lives and safety of its people, and in this regard, we still have much to do."
Kim attributed the tragedy to "poor preparation and a complete failure in the official response," pledging that the government would continue to take necessary measures to hold those responsible accountable. Prior to the evening event, four religious groups conducted a joint prayer session at the disaster site in Itaewon, followed by a mass march to Seoul Plaza.
The main event featured a joint calling of the victims' names, a moment of silence, a commemorative speech by the prime minister, and a concert in their memory. On the third anniversary next Wednesday, the government plans to hold a separate mourning event at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. This event will be attended by government representatives and bereaved family members and will include a one-minute siren across the city.