[Itaewon Tragedy] Prime Minister Han Declares National Mourning Period Until November 5... Yongsan-gu Declared Special Disaster Area (Update)

Joint Memorial Altars Installed in Seoul; Early Flag Raising and Ribbon Wearing During Mourning Period by Government and Public Institutions
Ministry of Health and Welfare and Seoul City Activate Funeral Support Team... Full Effort for Injured Treatment and Psychological Support Team for Families
Prime Minister Han Deok-su Urges All Citizens to Unite and Overcome Grief

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced on the 30th that the period until November 5 has been designated as a national mourning period in relation to the 'Itaewon Halloween crowd crush disaster,' and that Yongsan-gu has been declared a special disaster area.

At a joint briefing held at noon at the Government Seoul Office with relevant ministers, Prime Minister Han said, "Following the meeting presided over by President Yoon Seok-yeol early this morning, the government has established a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting led by the Prime Minister as the head. Each headquarters has set up a recovery headquarters, and Seoul City has immediately activated the Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, mobilizing all efforts."

In accordance with President Yoon Seok-yeol's directive, the period from today until 24:00 on November 5 has been designated as a national mourning period to express condolences. Prime Minister Han explained, "A joint memorial altar will be set up in Seoul city," and added, "During the mourning period, all public institutions will fly flags at half-mast, and government officials and public institution employees will wear ribbons to express their condolences."

He continued, "All ministries, local governments, and public institutions will postpone non-urgent events during the mourning period, and if events must be held, safety will be prioritized."

The government will also declare Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the accident occurred, a special disaster area. Prime Minister Han stated, "We will provide all necessary support, including healing support funds for the bereaved families of the deceased and the injured," and added, "For foreign victims, we will actively coordinate with overseas diplomatic missions to ensure there is no lack of support."

He further mentioned, "A funeral support team will be activated jointly with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Seoul City for the deceased, full efforts will be made for the treatment of the injured, and a psychological support team for the Itaewon accident will be formed and operated within the National Trauma Center to provide psychological treatment for the families of the injured."

Prime Minister Han also said, "Our country has a history of overcoming disasters with all citizens united as one," and earnestly requested, "I sincerely ask all citizens to come together so that we can rise again from this sorrow."

He emphasized, "The government will cooperate with all ministries, related agencies, local governments, and medical institutions to devote all efforts to managing the aftermath of the accident and will also devise follow-up measures going forward."