Itaewon Streets Before Christmas... "There Are Virtually No People"

Shock from the Tragedy Remains... Itaewon Without Pedestrians
Self-Employed Facing Limits... "Caught in a Dilemma"
Police "Plan to Deploy Officers According to Crowd Size"

At around 6:20 PM on the 22nd, the alleys of Itaewon in Seoul were deserted without any pedestrians. Some self-employed business owners came out onto the streets to solicit passersby.
Photo by Choi Taewon skking@

At 6:20 p.m. on the 22nd, the alley where the Itaewon tragedy occurred became passable, but there were no pedestrians to be seen except for the police guarding the area. Although the alley was only six steps wide, it felt empty due to the scarcity of people. It was the same even after leaving the alley. Pubs and clubs, which had stopped operating after the tragedy, resumed business but did not put up Christmas decorations. The streets were filled not with Christmas carols but with the pitiful solicitation efforts of employees.

Three days before Christmas, the Itaewon area still had not recovered from the tragedy. It used to be a place filled with beautifully decorated ornaments and people carrying gift packages during Christmas, but now it has become a place people hesitate to visit. Merchants expressed their difficulties, saying they are facing a situation tougher than even COVID-19.

Even during the daytime, which is not evening, there were so few people walking around that it was embarrassing to call it a commercial district. Although about 1,000 employees from Yongsan District Office come out for lunch, most stores were empty. Real estate agent Mr. Lee (52) said, “Self-employed business owners in the Itaewon area earn a year’s income during Halloween and Christmas, but now there are no people on the streets at all. It’s a more difficult situation than during COVID-19, and there is no solution. The Itaewon commercial district is now dead,” expressing concern. Resident Mr. Jung (67) said, “I used to complain because it was noisy, but now that people don’t come, I’m worried the commercial district will die. Residents are trying to support Itaewon restaurants, but there are limits,” he said.

Self-employed business owners complained that they can no longer endure due to debts accumulated since the COVID-19 period. They barely survived the COVID-19 era, but now they face a situation where even hope is hard to hold onto. Restaurant owner Mr. Kim (38) said, “During the COVID-19 period, I borrowed money to cover rent and other expenses, but now I’ve reached my limit. The economy is expected to freeze next year, and people avoid Itaewon. I want to close my business, but no one is coming to look at the store, so I’m caught between a rock and a hard place,” he said.

Merchants were still cautious. Although the memorial space set up in front of Exit 1 of Itaewon Station was cleared on the 21st, the Itaewon area was still in a mourning atmosphere. Lee Dong-hee, president of the Itaewon Tourism Special Zone Association, said, “The association is refraining from Christmas decorations, and merchants are voluntarily being careful. How can we create a Christmas atmosphere? So many people lost their lives, and I think we must participate in this,” he said.

The police plan to deploy personnel in preparation for crowds visiting Itaewon during Christmas. A representative from the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul said, “We will deploy police officers according to the crowd size. We are still reviewing whether to prepare at a normal level based on our experience or to add more personnel,” he said.