Yoon Attends Memorial Service at Yeongam Church Instead of Seoul Plaza
Presidential Office: "Our Mourning Hearts Are the Same"
When Asked About Political Nature of Memorial Rally
"Many Citizens Are Mourning... Will Refrain from Comments"
President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 29th, "We will continue to make greater efforts to achieve the goal of a safe Republic of Korea."
On the same day, President Yoon delivered a memorial address at the first anniversary memorial service for the Itaewon tragedy held at Yeongam Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, according to Lee Do-woon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office.
President Yoon first said, "Today last year was the saddest day of my life. I believe all the people of the Republic of Korea share the same feelings," adding, "I pray for the souls of those who passed away in the unfortunate accident. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their precious loved ones."
He also mentioned, "We live this world carrying grief," and "As one of the citizens of the Republic of Korea whom those who passed away loved, we have the responsibility to create a better world." He continued, "That responsibility is to build a country where all citizens can trust and enjoy a safe daily life in the Republic of Korea that they loved," adding, "I vow to make a safe Republic of Korea and not let their sacrifice be in vain."
President Yoon further emphasized, "Over the past year, the government has made many efforts to build a safe Republic of Korea," and "We will continue to strive even harder to achieve the goal of a 'safe Republic of Korea'." The spokesperson conveyed, "The pastor who led the memorial service quoted Romans 12:15, 'Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn,' saying that what we must do is not to incite conflict and hatred but to comfort the wounded hearts."
Yeongam Church is the church President Yoon attended from the first grade of elementary school until the first grade of middle school. President Yoon also visited this church last Christmas.
When a reporter asked, "What is the background for holding the memorial service at the church?" and "The bereaved families of the Itaewon tragedy have continuously sent messages hoping for President Yoon's participation in the memorial rally. What was the reason for deciding not to attend?" a key official from the Presidential Office replied, "We believe that the sentiment of mourning and honoring the victims of the Itaewon tragedy is the same everywhere, whether nationwide or worldwide. Whether at Seoul Plaza or Seongbuk-gu church, the feeling of mourning does not differ," adding, "As the pastor mentioned, it is important to unite the people's will to prevent recurrence and build a safe Republic of Korea."
When asked, "The pastor said we should comfort the wounded hearts rather than incite conflict and hatred. Is there a plan to meet or invite the bereaved families separately? Or to contact them in another way?" the reporter received the response, "We will carefully consider those aspects," avoiding a direct answer.
Regarding questions about the reason for President Yoon's absence from today's memorial service, whether he still maintains the view that "(the memorial) has a strong political nature," and whether the service was planned in advance or was part of the church's Sunday worship, the official explained, "The church holds first, second, and third services. The third service ended at 12:10 p.m., and after the congregants left, President Yoon arrived and attended the service," adding, "We considered worshiping with the congregants, but judged that the security measures would cause discomfort to them. After consulting with the church, it was agreed to hold the service quietly after the congregants had left."
Reporters then asked, "There have been interpretations that this memorial rally is political. Does that mean the memorial service for former President Park Chung-hee has no political nature?" and "There is an opinion that enacting a special law on the Itaewon tragedy is important for true consolation and prevention of recurrence, but the government and ruling party are not proactive." The official responded, "Today is the first anniversary of Itaewon, and many citizens are mourning and honoring the victims," adding, "It would be better to refrain from making further comments."
When a reporter said, "One of the demands from the bereaved families is an official apology from President Yoon. Although the memorial service mentioned future plans, there was no expression of apology," and "President Yoon referred to the incident as an unfortunate accident in his memorial address, which could be interpreted as saying the government has no responsibility," the official replied, "President Yoon has apologized several times. He has also made many efforts to comfort the bereaved families," adding, "He even ordered one-on-one matching with the families in the early stages." He continued, "You are well aware of what happened afterward," and concluded, "For today, it is best to focus on mourning and refrain from other remarks," avoiding further active comments.
On the afternoon of the 29th, marking the first anniversary of the October 29 Itaewon tragedy, bereaved families are laying flowers at the memorial space of the 'October 29 Path of Remembrance and Safety' set up at the Itaewon tragedy site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
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