[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 4th, the 10·29 Itaewon Disaster Citizens' Countermeasure Committee and the Bereaved Families' Council clashed with police and Seoul city officials after suddenly setting up a memorial altar at Seoul Plaza during a 100-day march commemorating the disaster.
About 1,000 people, including approximately 150 bereaved family members, started from the memorial altar at Noksapyeong Station on Subway Line 4 and were marching toward Sejong-daero, the site of the memorial rally, when they unexpectedly stopped at Seoul Plaza and began setting up the altar.
Relatives of the victims of the October 29 Itaewon disaster and members of the Citizens' Countermeasures Meeting [Image source=Yonhap News]
The police tried to stop them but were initially pushed back. To prepare for the assembly, about 3,000 riot police stationed near Gwanghwamun Square were relocated and deployed near Seoul Plaza.
Currently, about 70 Seoul city officials are attempting to enter to dismantle the memorial altar tent. So far, no injuries or arrests have been reported.
These groups originally planned to hold the memorial rally at Gwanghwamun Square after the march, but due to Seoul city's refusal, the location was moved to Sejong-daero next to the plaza. Seoul city also rejected the bereaved families' request to set up a memorial altar on the north side of Gwanghwamun Square. Furthermore, the city requested the police the day before to prevent the installation of illegal tents and other structures to protect the facilities.
Civil society groups have also strongly criticized Seoul city's decision to deny the use of the plaza. The Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) issued a statement condemning the installation of barricades at Gwanghwamun Square that block social mourning, expressing deep regret toward the police and Seoul city for trying to silence the voices of the bereaved families rather than remembering and honoring the victims.
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