"Parents Bowed and Wept to Their Children During Seollal"

Mother of Victim Kim Eui-hyun in Itaewon Disaster
Son with Experience Working at Screening Clinic, Tragedy While Helping Others
"Phone Alarm Still Rings at 5:55 AM"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "It was the first holiday after sending your son off. How did you spend it?"

On the 27th, Kim Jong-bae, a current affairs commentator and host of MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' asked this question during a radio interview with Kim Ho-gyeong, the mother of the late Kim Ui-hyeon, who was a victim of the Itaewon tragedy.

Kim Ho-gyeong replied, "If it were the old days, the whole family would have gathered to perform New Year's bows and exchange well-wishes, enjoying the Lunar New Year. But I spent the holiday at the Noksapyeong memorial altar, dressing the children in Lunar New Year clothes and bowing to them as a parent while weeping uncontrollably."

Kim Ho-gyeong spent the Lunar New Year holiday at the Noksapyeong memorial altar where the memorial tablets of the Itaewon tragedy victims were placed.

A tumultuous year is coming to an end. This year, Im In-nyeon, was particularly challenging due to high inflation, economic difficulties, and the Itaewon tragedy. The Itaewon tragedy, which resulted in 158 deaths and 196 injuries, was recorded as the deadliest accident since the Sewol ferry disaster in 2014, which claimed 304 lives. Thorough investigation is the best effort our society can make for the victims who tragically lost their lives. Civil society is urging the special committee for the state audit to investigate the facts impartially and transparently, and to prepare follow-up measures such as strict punishment for those responsible. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim Ho-gyeong raised her son alone. Fortunately, both her son and daughter (older sister) grew up well, so she had no worries. Her daughter graduated from university in Australia and was working, and her son lived diligently as a radiologic technologist after graduating from university.

During the difficult times of COVID-19, her son volunteered to work at a screening clinic, a place many avoided. Kim Ho-gyeong said, "He must have liked working at places like the clinic, helping others. So Ui-hyeon always had many friends around him, and friends confided their worries in him because he was a good listener. He was always very considerate."

Her son's helpful nature became the heartbreaking cause of the tragedy. Kim Ho-gyeong explained, "Ui-hyeon was near the alley where the accident happened, so he could have gotten out. A friend who was with him said, 'Ui-hyeon, let's go, let's get out.' But when someone nearby called for help, Ui-hyeon said he had to help and tried to block it. Then he collapsed on the cold road and ended his thirty-year life there."

Although her son could have escaped the scene, he ran in to save another life and tragically lost his own.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is speaking at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 6th to address the extension of the activity period of the 'Itaewon Disaster Special Committee for National Investigation.'
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Right after the Lunar New Year holiday, the National Police Agency's Special Investigation Headquarters sent the investigation results by mail to the father's address, not the mother's. Kim Ho-gyeong, who had raised her son Ui-hyeon alone for over 20 years, was understandably baffled.

Kim Ho-gyeong said, "I was so baffled. I wonder how these people are handling things that the mail goes to a father who hasn't had contact for over 20 years. I am curious how it ended up that way." Her son's address was the same as hers, but the mail went to a completely different place.

Kim Ho-gyeong said, "It was a tragedy that took away all our children's dreams and futures. Where was the state on that day? Can't they hear the children's cries from that day? I want to say to all citizens to never forget and always remember this day."

Then, Kim Ho-gyeong conveyed this message to her son.

"My phone alarm still rings at 5:55 a.m. I set it to wake my son at 6 to go to the screening clinic... He always said he had to protect his mother, ever since he was young. But now, I think he must be sorry for not being able to protect me there. I want to tell him not to be sorry to me and to live well there."