Government to Form Task Force for 'Mass Crowd Accidents'... Comprehensive Measures for 112 Response System Planned

Forming a Civil Expert Participation TF to Establish Safety Management Improvement Plans
Comprehensive Measures for 112 Response System Innovation to Be Prepared Upon Completion of Accident Cause Investigation

On the 2nd, during the national mourning period following the large-scale crush disaster in Itaewon, visitors continue to pay their respects at the memorial space set up near Itaewon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] In relation to the Itaewon crowd crush disaster, the government will form a 'Task Force for Ensuring Safety in Mass Crowd Accidents' to manage safety at densely crowded events without organizers. A comprehensive plan to innovate the 112 emergency call response system will also be prepared.

On the 2nd, Park Jong-hyun, Director of Social Disaster Response Policy at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said at a briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) held at the Government Sejong Complex, "We are promoting measures to prevent similar accidents from recurring," adding, "Starting today, we will operate a Task Force for Ensuring Safety in Mass Crowd Accidents involving private experts to establish improved safety management plans for events and festivals where large crowds gather without organizers."

The government also decided to prepare a comprehensive plan to innovate the 112 response system. This comes after criticism that although 112 emergency calls were received from 6 p.m. on the day of the Itaewon disaster, police response was inadequate. However, it seems difficult to avoid criticism that top officials made evasive remarks about responsibility and that the measures were reactive after the large-scale disaster occurred.

Director Park said, "Once the investigation into the cause of the accident is completed, we will prepare a comprehensive plan to innovate the 112 response system," and added, "The government will take this accident as a lesson and do its best to create a safer society."

According to the CDSCH, as of 9 a.m. that day, there were 156 victims (including 26 foreigners) and a total of 157 injured, including 33 seriously injured. Funeral procedures for 68 victims were completed by the previous day.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and Seoul City plan to maintain one-on-one matching with bereaved families for a certain period after the funerals to provide necessary support. For seriously injured individuals, two dedicated staff members will be assigned per person, and for those with minor injuries, two dedicated staff members will be assigned per medical institution.

Foreign victims will receive support comparable to that of Korean nationals, and for two undocumented foreigners, humanitarian support will be provided, including funeral expenses, medical costs, and relief funds, covering repatriation costs to their home countries.