What Do You Think About the Surprise Installation of the 'COVID-19 Victims Memorial Incense Altar'?

Citizen Coalition: "Is it appropriate for civic groups to do what the government should do?" Frustration
Seoul Jung-gu Office: "Voluntary demolition recommended"

A tent installed on the sidewalk in front of the Seoul Urban Architecture Exhibition Hall near Seoul City Hall by the "COVID-19 Truth Investigation Citizens' Coalition" [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The civic group 'COVID-19 Truth Investigation Citizens' Coalition,' which criticizes the government's COVID-19 quarantine policies, suddenly set up a joint memorial altar in downtown Seoul on the 23rd to honor those who died from COVID-19 and those who passed away after vaccination.

Opinions among citizens observing this are divided. Some believe that the truth behind the deaths of citizens suspected to have suffered side effects after vaccination must be properly investigated, while others argue that we should wait for the government's investigation results.

At around 2:30 p.m. that day, the coalition installed three tents measuring 5m wide by 5m long and two tents measuring 5m wide by 3m long on the sidewalk in front of the Seoul Urban Architecture Exhibition Hall near Seoul City Hall. The group plans to hold an opening ceremony on the 26th and will place furniture and portrait photos of the deceased for the memorial altar's operation. The group stated that they have received about thirty portrait photos from bereaved families so far.

The coalition explained that they attempted to set up the memorial altar at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall or Cheonggye Plaza but were not granted permission by authorities, leading them to install it suddenly.

Joint Memorial Altar for COVID-19 Vaccine Victims Installed at Cheonggye Plaza, Jung-gu / Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@

Earlier, another COVID-19-related victim civic group, the 'Vaccine Victims' Families Association (Kobackhoe),' set up a joint memorial altar on the 12th in front of the Sora Tower at Cheonggye Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul. Kobackhoe stated that they installed the altar to urge the government to take measures, as the damage leading to death following suspected side effects after vaccination is clear, yet the government consistently denies causality.

Kim Doo-kyung, president of Kobackhoe, explained the situation after his son in his 20s collapsed following the AstraZeneca vaccine last March, showing side effects such as vomiting, chills, and fever. He added that his son eventually developed paralysis symptoms and became unable to carry out daily activities without assistance.

Kim said, "He had a health checkup before joining the hospital and was fine. After joining, he was told to get vaccinated at the hospital, and just ten days after joining, my son collapsed. We even received a medical opinion suggesting side effects from the vaccine, but the government did not acknowledge causality," expressing his frustration.

The coalition shares Kobackhoe's stance. Kim Doo-chun, executive chairman of the Citizens' Coalition, said, "With nearly 7,000 deaths from COVID-19, we created the memorial altar to comfort those who could not even have proper funerals," raising his voice, "Is it appropriate for civic groups to do what the government should be doing?"

Citizens' opinions vary. Some believe that concerns about side effects after COVID-19 vaccination can happen to anyone, so voices related to this issue should continue to be raised toward the government. Kim, a company employee in his 30s, said, "It's not some other issue; it could happen to me or my family. We cannot just wait endlessly for causality investigations. I think we should be able to raise our voices in any form."

Although the situation is unfortunate, some argue that we should wait for the government's causality investigation results and other measures. Park, a 40-something office worker, said, "Isn't the government conducting investigations into causality regarding side effects or deaths after vaccination? I understand the feelings, but this is not the way to respond to every grievance," he claimed.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board

Meanwhile, posts complaining of side effects after vaccination have continuously appeared on the Blue House's public petition board. On the 19th, a post titled "My father's sudden death after vaccination, I am both perpetrator and murderer" was published. The petitioner, who identified as the child of the deceased man, claimed that his father died less than a month after being diagnosed with a new form of Guillain-Barr? syndrome following his second Pfizer vaccine dose.

He explained the situation, saying, "My father, who did judo and had a strong physique, could not sleep due to itching after vaccination," and added, "Because I live away from home, I could not properly check my father's full-body hives, which was the beginning of this misfortune."

According to the petitioner, the deceased father received his first Pfizer vaccine dose in early June last year and completed the second dose three weeks later. Shortly after, he showed paralysis symptoms in his limbs and was transported to the hospital. Subsequent tests diagnosed him with Guillain-Barr? syndrome, known to involve decreased limb strength and sensory abnormalities. The petitioner said, "After being diagnosed with Guillain-Barr? syndrome and hospitalized, my father was also diagnosed with late-stage lymphoma (a type of blood cancer)," and "He passed away less than a month after hospitalization."

The petitioner appealed, "The government did not take responsibility. Our family lost my father overnight. While the probability is one in several people, for our family, it was 100%. Is it normal to be told to risk your life and test your luck? I am at a loss on how to live day by day. Since this can happen to anyone, please help me."

Meanwhile, Jung-gu Office plans to visit the site on the 24th and review whether to dismantle the tents.