Injunction on Access to Itaewon Memorial Altar to Be Decided on the 6th of Next Month

Submission of preparatory documents by both sides on the 25th and February 1st, decision notice delivered on the 6th
Bereaved Families Council: "Obstruction of memorial and insult to the Bereaved Families Council"
Shinjayuyeondae: "No obstruction of memorial, should be judged by law"

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] The first hearing for the injunction to prohibit access filed by the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster victims against a conservative group conducting disruptive protests next to the memorial altar near Noksapyeong Station was held on the 17th. The result of the injunction application is expected to be announced on the 6th of next month.

On the afternoon of December 22 last year, conservative groups such as Shin Jayu Solidarity had banners posted near the 10.29 Disaster Citizen Memorial Altar set up at Itaewon Plaza in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Civil Division 21 of the Seoul Western District Court (Chief Presiding Judge Lim Jeongyeop) held a hearing at around 2 p.m. on the same day for the injunction to prohibit access filed by the "10·29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association" against the conservative group Shin Jayu Yeondae and its representative Kim Sangjin. The court stated, "If preparatory documents are submitted by the 25th and February 1st, the decision will be delivered by the 6th."

Through the argument, the bereaved families association stated, "The debtors (Shin Jayu Yeondae) held protests in front of the memorial altar, disrupting the mourning and insulting the bereaved families association," and added, "Distorting proper mourning acts infringes on the bereaved families' mourning emotions and personal rights," emphasizing the necessity of granting the injunction to prohibit access.

On the other hand, Shin Jayu Yeondae argued, "There was no fact of obstructing mourning acts. Although an unidentified woman made insulting remarks on December 19 last year, the Yongsan Police Station confirmed that she was not a member of Shin Jayu Yeondae but a resident of Itaewon," and insisted, "This should be judged by law."

The court requested both the bereaved families association and Shin Jayu Yeondae to submit additional evidence.

The bereaved families association must specifically identify the acts actually carried out by Shin Jayu Yeondae near the memorial altar and submit related evidence. Shin Jayu Yeondae was asked to provide evidence regarding the organizers and legal grounds of the assemblies and protests held near the memorial altar.

Earlier, on the 14th of last month, the bereaved families association set up a citizen memorial altar for the Itaewon disaster victims near Noksapyeong Station. Shin Jayu Yeondae held a rally near the altar with a banner stating, "Those who exploit the Itaewon disaster to incite should step down," which caused controversy.

In response, on December 29 last year, the bereaved families association applied to block representative Kim and Shin Jayu Yeondae from entering or approaching the memorial altar set up near Noksapyeong Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. They also requested the court to prohibit any acts such as broadcasting, chanting slogans, or displaying banners within 100 meters of the altar to prevent disruption of the mourning.