159 Portraits Placed at Memorial Altar
Visitors Return to Pay Respects After Three Months
On the afternoon of the 4th, one day before the 100th day since the Itaewon tragedy, the 10.29 Itaewon Tragedy Citizens' Countermeasures Committee and the Bereaved Families' Council, who were marching on the streets, suddenly set up a memorial altar at Seoul Plaza. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] On the 4th, one day before the 100th day since the Itaewon tragedy, bereaved families suddenly set up a memorial altar at Seoul Plaza and held a memorial rally on Sejong-daero next to the plaza. Although tensions escalated as the police issued a dispersal order citing the lack of notification, the rally was carried out as planned and concluded after two hours without major clashes.
The October 29 Itaewon Tragedy Citizens' Countermeasure Committee and the Bereaved Families Council held a "100th Day Citizens' Memorial Rally" on Sejong-daero next to Seoul Plaza that afternoon, demanding an apology from President Yoon Seok-yeol and the dismissal of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min. About 5,000 people, including approximately 150 bereaved family members, gathered and occupied four of the eight lanes of the road.
Lee Jong-cheol, the representative of the council, criticized, "There was no government in Itaewon on October 29 last year, and even now, 100 days later, there is no government for the bereaved families," adding, "I do not understand why we are being ignored like this." He continued, "The bereaved families trust the people and will fight to the end until the government and President Yoon Seok-yeol listen to our voices."
On the afternoon of the 4th, one day before the 100th day since the Itaewon tragedy, police surrounded the Itaewon Tragedy Memorial Altar that was suddenly set up at Seoul Plaza. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Lee Jeong-min, vice representative of the council, sharply criticized, "Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon worked hard all night preparing to stop us. With so many casualties, aren’t you ashamed as the head of the local government?" Participants in the rally unanimously demanded an official apology from President Yoon, the dismissal of Minister Lee Sang-min, and the establishment of an independent investigative body. They also called out the names of the victims one by one, shouting "We remember."
The police informed attendees that the rally was unreported and issued dispersal orders four times but did not use physical force. The bereaved families initially planned to hold the memorial rally at Gwanghwamun Plaza, but after Seoul City denied permission, they moved to Sejong-daero next to Gwanghwamun Plaza. They claimed that they had reported the rally at Sejong-daero next to Seoul Plaza, but the police stated that only a march was reported, not a rally.
Just before the memorial rally, the bereaved families suddenly set up a memorial altar on the sidewalk in front of Seoul Library. Police present at the scene tried to stop them but were pushed back, and later about 70 Seoul city officials attempted to enter to remove it but also failed. During the standoff and clashes between both sides, a bereaved family member in their 20s lost consciousness and collapsed, and was transported to a nearby hospital by a 119 ambulance.
On the afternoon of the 4th, one day before the 100th day since the Itaewon tragedy, the 10.29 Itaewon Tragedy Citizens' Countermeasures Committee and the Bereaved Families' Council, who were marching on the streets, clashed with police while attempting to suddenly set up a memorial altar at Seoul Plaza. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The memorial altar displayed portraits of 159 victims. Citizens continued to visit the altar late into the night. It has been 91 days since a memorial altar was last set up at Seoul Plaza. This altar was temporarily operated from October 31 to November 5 last year, shortly after the tragedy.
Seoul City issued a statement expressing deep regret that day. The city said, "Installing permanent facilities without permission in the plaza, which must guarantee free use by unspecified citizens, is not allowed under relevant regulations," and "We propose the Noksapyeong Station area again as a memorial space." Seoul City suspended the operation of the Seoul Plaza skating rink from 4 p.m. citing safety concerns for visitors due to the memorial event.
Before the memorial rally, bereaved families and citizens marched from Samgakji Station on Subway Line 4 to Sejong-daero wearing red scarves symbolizing the sorrow of losing family members and badges with four stars. The four stars represent victims, bereaved families, survivors, and rescuers respectively. Holding placards with phrases such as "There is no state or president, but the people stand with the bereaved families" and "Stay strong, bereaved families. The people are with you," citizens shouted slogans together.
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