17,000 Gather at Seoul Plaza with Memorial Altar Set Up
Victims' Families Say "Wish We Had Done More... Regret It"
Calls for National Assembly to Pass Itaewon Disaster Special Act
On the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy, which claimed 159 lives, memorial processions took place across Seoul to honor the victims. Not only the bereaved families and survivors but also members of religious communities, political circles, and citizens from all walks of life visited Seoul Plaza and Itaewon, where memorial rallies were held, to pay their respects. The bereaved families also urged the ruling and opposition parties to enact a special law on the Itaewon tragedy.
On the afternoon of the 29th, marking the first anniversary of the October 29 Itaewon tragedy, bereaved families are paying tribute at the memorial space of the 'October 29 Path of Memory and Safety' set up at the Itaewon tragedy site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 29th, the Itaewon Tragedy Bereaved Families Association and the Itaewon Tragedy Citizens’ Countermeasures Committee held a citizens’ memorial rally at Seoul Plaza in the afternoon to mark the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy. Around 2 p.m., they held a prayer meeting of the four major religions (Protestantism, Buddhism, Won Buddhism, and Catholicism) in front of Itaewon Station on the Seoul subway, where the tragedy occurred, then marched through the Yongsan Presidential Office and Seoul Station to Seoul Plaza. According to the organizers’ estimate, about 17,000 people gathered at Seoul Plaza. The police deployed 25 companies to ensure safety and order.
The bereaved families still deeply missed their lost loved ones. Im Hyun-joo, mother of victim Kim Euijin, said in a letter, “I believed we would be happy for a long time, and as a mother, I was confident I would protect happiness and love no matter the circumstances, but that belief collapsed in an instant. With 159 lives, happiness, and futures taken away, we, the remaining families, have lost everything.” An Ha-kyung, sister of victim Ahn Min-hyung, tearfully said, “I have so many regrets that I should have done better. I will live this life forever feeling sorry.”
Memorials for the victims continued. Survivor Lee Joo-hyun said, “I was lucky to survive, but does that mean the victims died because they were unlucky? I will always stand here and remain a survivor. I am grateful that other survivors are still here as well.” Kim Jong-gi, an executive committee member of the Sewol Ferry Families Association, said, “My heart breaks and I am overwhelmed with grief because my beloved family is no longer by my side. I even feel sorry to say hello or to encourage you to stay strong, because I know very well that the victims have endured such a difficult time over the past year.”
Condolences were also sent from abroad. Shimomura Seiji, a bereaved family member of the victims of the Akashi Fireworks Festival crush accident in 2001, which killed 11 people, said, “There were many similarities to the accident we experienced, which was heartbreaking. Through exchanges with the Itaewon tragedy bereaved families, we share the sorrow and pain of losing precious family members and consider them like family.” Religious leaders comforted the victims, bereaved families, and survivors. Father Zacchaeus said, “Here are victims, survivors, rescuers, witnesses, and stories. We have come together to mourn, express anger, and talk.”
On the 29th, citizens are writing memorial messages on the 'Path of Memory and Safety' established in the alley where the Itaewon tragedy occurred. Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@
Citizens’ mourning continued as well. The memorial space called ‘Path of Memory and Safety’ in the Itaewon alleys was filled with condolence messages written by citizens. At the incense offering site set up at Seoul Plaza, people lined up to offer white chrysanthemums. Kim Joo-hyun (54, female), who came from Wonju, Gangwon Province, to pay respects, said, “My heart aches that people around the same age as my daughter suddenly lost their lives in a narrow alley. I don’t understand why no one is taking responsibility.”
The bereaved families urged the political circles to pass the special law on the Itaewon tragedy in the National Assembly. The special law, which includes the establishment of a special investigation committee for fact-finding, has been designated as a fast-track bill but is still pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The event was attended by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party; Yong Hye-in, co-leader of the Basic Income Party; and Yoon Hee-sook, co-leader of the Progressive Party. Lee Jeong-min, an executive committee member of the association, said, “The special law is the most important bill to discuss the causes of the Itaewon tragedy and prevent its recurrence. There is no ruling or opposition in the face of this tragedy. We must reveal the true causes of the tragedy through the special law.”
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