"Demolition by 1 PM on the 6th or Administrative Enforcement"
Countermeasure Meeting "Special Law Needed for Demolition"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster victims and civic groups are clashing with the Seoul Metropolitan Government after suddenly setting up a citizen memorial altar at Seoul Plaza on the 4th, one day before the 100th day since the disaster. Seoul City notified that if the altar is not removed by 1 p.m. on the 6th, it will proceed with administrative enforcement, but the bereaved families and others are guarding the altar overnight, confronting Seoul City and the police.
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. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 5th, Seoul City stated, "We repeatedly express regret over the sudden installation of facilities without prior notice. We believe it is difficult to gain public sympathy, which the bereaved families deeply seek," and added, "Our plan for administrative enforcement remains unchanged." The city further explained, "We cannot ignore safety issues caused by illegal facilities and the possibility of conflicts among citizens. The bereaved families requested a symbolic and peaceful space not far from Itaewon. Therefore, we proposed a sufficiently large location within Noksapyeong Station that is convenient even during rain."
Earlier, the '10·29 Itaewon Disaster Citizens' Countermeasures Meeting' installed the altar at Seoul Plaza suddenly while marching with bereaved families and citizens from Noksapyeong Station toward Gwanghwamun, the site of the '100th Day Citizens' Memorial Rally,' on the afternoon of the 4th.
On the afternoon of the 4th, the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster 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. Photo by Yonhap News.
Seoul City: "Unauthorized Installation" vs Countermeasures Meeting: "We Will Not Stand By If Forced Removal Occurs"
The altar was set up on the sidewalk in front of Seoul Library. Seoul City, which had directly installed and operated a memorial altar at Seoul Plaza immediately after the Itaewon disaster, stated that the altar installed on the 4th is an unauthorized installation without a usage application for Seoul Plaza and therefore cannot be permitted. According to the 'Ordinance on the Use and Management of Seoul Plaza,' users must submit a usage application to the city and obtain approval to use the plaza. If the plaza is occupied without permission, the city may order the removal of facilities or take necessary measures.
However, a representative of the Countermeasures Meeting responded, "Can people pay their respects in a hard-to-reach space located on the fourth basement floor?" and added, "If a special law establishing an independent investigation body for fact-finding is enacted, we plan to remove the altar, but if the city forcibly removes it before then, we cannot just watch." This suggests a potential clash if Seoul City proceeds with administrative enforcement.
Will This Become a Second 'Ssangyong Motor Memorial Altar' Incident?
Some fear that this situation may repeat the prolonged conflict seen in the second 'Ssangyong Motor Memorial Altar' incident, where repeated removals and installations caused disputes over several years. In April 2012, the Ssangyong Motor union and civic groups formed a countermeasures committee related to the Ssangyong Motor layoffs and set up a memorial altar in front of Daehanmun at Deoksugung Palace. In April of the following year, Jung-gu Office in Seoul removed the altar and installed a flower bed, but the committee set up a temporary altar in front of the flower bed, leading the office to attempt removal again. When the altar was re-established in front of Daehanmun in 2018, conservative groups holding rallies there clashed with the Ssangyong Motor union.
Ultimately, the altar was voluntarily removed in August of the same year, but disputes between the committee, the district office, and the police over forced removal continued in court. The Supreme Court ruled that the police's actions to block the committee members opposing administrative enforcement were legitimate official duties, and upheld the first-instance judgment that the Jung-gu Office's administrative enforcement was lawful as it aimed to stop habitual illegal road occupation.
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