The 49th-Day Memorial Service for Itaewon Tragedy Victims Held: "It Was Not Your Fault"

On the morning of the 16th, Jinwoo Sunim, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, read a memorial sermon at the 10.29 (Itaewon) Disaster Victims Memorial Service (49th day ceremony) held at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The Social Welfare Foundation of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster held a 49th-day memorial service to console the victims and pray for their souls.

On the morning of the 49th day since the disaster, the Jogye Order conducted the "10·29 (Itaewon) Disaster Victims Memorial Ceremony" on a special stage set up in front of the Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This 49th-day memorial was held in the form of a "Cheondo" (薦度) ritual, praying for the deceased souls to be reborn in a better place. Hundreds of people, including bereaved families, Jogye Order Chief Monk Jinwoo, Social Welfare Foundation CEO Monk Boin, Jogyesa Temple Chief Monk Jihyun, and devotees attended the ceremony.

The ritual began with 158 tolls of the memorial bell to honor the victims. This was followed by offerings of incense and memorial sermons. The 49th-day memorial enshrined 67 portraits and 78 memorial tablets, received from the bereaved families with their hopes.

Lee Soo-min, president of the Jogyesa Youth Association, said in a condolence speech, "It was not your fault to be there on the day the disaster occurred," and added, "We hope you forget all the pain and rest peacefully in a place without suffering."

Meanwhile, the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy plans to hold a citizen memorial service for the 10·29 disaster at around 6 p.m. in front of Exit 1 of Itaewon Station on the same day.