That Day, a Mother Who Lost Her Son in His 40s Says, "My Son Didn't Even Drink or Smoke"

Relatives of Itaewon Tragedy Victims Interviewed on MBC Radio Siseon Jipjung
"They ask why people in their 40s went to Itaewon, but it was after seeing off an acquaintance and heading to the subway station"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] "My son does not drink or smoke."

On October 29, Kim Hyun-sook, a mother who lost her son in his 40s in the Itaewon tragedy, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 9th to share the story of that day. Most of the victims of the Itaewon tragedy were in their 20s to 30s, but since her son in his 40s was among the victims, there were many rumors. Kim appealed for people to listen to the truth by sharing the stories of families who suddenly lost their sons, husbands, and fathers.

Kim said, "My son went out to a dinner gathering with acquaintances from a client he meets once a month, and after seeing off all the intoxicated acquaintances, he was on his way to the subway station when he became a victim," adding, "everyone has their own story, but I wanted to let people know that there are victims like this too, and I wanted to raise my voice to clear up the injustice."

On the 29th, about a month after the 'Itaewon Disaster,' a vinyl cover was placed over the memorial space set up at the Itaewon disaster site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to protect it from rain. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim lost her husband three years ago. Now having lost her son as well, she is soothing her devastated heart through prayer. Kim said, "I open my eyes with tears and close them with tears," and added, "Since I attend church, every time I pray, I say, 'God, I woke up again today,' and 'God, I am going to bed again today.'"

Since that day, Kim's family has been going through days of pain. Kim said, "My daughter-in-law is worried that the children might get emotionally hurt," and added, "the children said that when they type their father's name on the internet, everything comes up." She continued, "My daughter-in-law spends every day in tears. She cannot accept the reality and is suffering doubly."

Even now, a week before the 49th-day memorial, Kim confessed that she is at a loss about how to explain the father's death to her grandchildren. Recently, one of the grandchildren asked about the father's death with suspicion. Kim said, "My daughter-in-law had no words to answer and couldn't respond. What should I say? That the police were incompetent? That the government was absent? I want to ask who can give this answer to the grandchildren."

On the morning of the 7th, participants hold placards at the press conference for the launch of the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Citizens' Countermeasures Meeting held at the Korea Christian Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim said, "One bereaved family member asked, 'How will the government record this tragedy in history?' That's exactly what I want to say," and added, "When our children grow up and come across the history of the Itaewon tragedy, if bad articles come up, how painful would their feelings for their father be?"

Kim emphasized, "It must never be recorded incorrectly," and added, "The facts must be clarified, and those responsible must be identified so that the children can remember their father proudly in the future."

Meanwhile, 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' has decided to meet the bereaved families of the victims one by one and listen to their stories until January 7 next year, the first deadline for the 10·29 Tragedy Special Committee's investigation.