Condolence and Funeral Expense Support for Foreign Victims of Itaewon Tragedy... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assigns Dedicated Staff

Foreign Minister Park Jin is paying his respects at the joint memorial altar for the victims of the Itaewon accident set up at Seoul Plaza on the 31st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Consolation money of 20 million KRW and funeral expenses of 15 million KRW will also be provided to foreign victims who died in the Itaewon disaster.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 1st that this decision was made through consultations with related ministries. The official explained, "Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff have been assigned one-on-one to the deceased and injured to coordinate with the respective embassies in Korea and bereaved families to ensure that necessary procedures proceed smoothly."

For bereaved families who have entered Korea, accommodation expenses of 70,000 KRW per household will be supported. Currently, about four bereaved family members have entered the country, and more are expected to arrive this week.

Applications for consolation money and funeral expenses for foreign deceased victims can be submitted until the end of this week. If the deceased had a residence in Korea, applications can be made at the jurisdictional address office; if they were short-term visitors without a domestic connection, applications can be made at the Yongsan District Office. Procedures will be carried out together with the assigned Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff.

Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related ministries are discussing providing medical expenses for the injured on a humanitarian basis. It is also reported that, unless opposed by the bereaved families, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials are visiting the domestic funeral halls of foreign deceased victims to offer condolences.

Lim Su-seok, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at the regular briefing on the day, "Since the accident occurred, 116 countries and international organizations have expressed condolences," and added, "We express our gratitude for the warm condolences from the international community who share the sorrow with our people."