The 2nd Anniversary Memorial Ceremony for the Hwajeong I-Park Collapse Tragedy Held

Bereaved Families, Organization Leaders, and Politicians Attend to Honor the Deceased
"We Must Perfectly Rebuild the Site So That the Sacrifice Is Not in Vain"

On the 11th, marking the 2nd anniversary of the Hwajeong I-Park collapse disaster in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, a memorial ceremony was held to honor the souls of the victims.

The Hwajeong I-Park Victims' Families Association held the 2nd anniversary memorial ceremony at the accident site that afternoon.

On the afternoon of the 11th, the second anniversary of the Hwajeong I'Park collapse disaster, bereaved families are laying flowers at the memorial ceremony held at the disaster site in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.
[Photo by Jin-Hyung Park]

The memorial ceremony proceeded in the order of ▲moment of silence ▲memorial address ▲report on the progress of dismantling work and future plans ▲reading of memorial poems ▲flower offering.

Attendees included the bereaved families, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung, Seo-gu District Chief Kim Yi-gang, National Assembly members Song Gap-seok, Jo O-seop, and Kang Eun-mi.

In his memorial address, Ahn Jeong-ho, the association representative, mentioned the Itaewon disaster and the Anseong new construction site collapse accident, stating, "Our society has not moved forward even a single step."

He added, "Rather than rapid development, even if it means going a little slower, we must reduce the sacrifice of innocent lives," urging, "Those involved here today must truly make an effort."

He said, "Faced with the reality of suddenly becoming bereaved families, we could not just be endlessly sad, so we contemplated what path to take for the victims," and continued, "For their sacrifice to be meaningful, the site where they worked hard must be perfectly rebuilt and become an apartment filled with happiness."

Finally, he emphasized, "If we do not remember, evil will arise again and disasters will ultimately repeat," and stated, "A small start toward a safe society is to remember and never forget the disaster."

One bereaved family member, listening to the memorial address, seemed to recall the vivid tragedy of that day, repeatedly holding back tears in silence. They could not hide their grief, wiping the tears continuously flowing beneath their mask with a tissue, evoking sympathy from those around them.

Although two years have passed since the disaster, the bereaved families seemed unable to escape the shock and pain of suddenly losing their beloved husbands and dependable fathers.

After the memorial address and poem reading, the bereaved families placed chrysanthemums on the stage in a solemn and reverent atmosphere, praying for the eternal rest of the deceased.

Meanwhile, on January 11, 2022, at 3:46 p.m., during the concrete pouring work on the 39th floor of Building 201 of Hwajeong I-Park, floors 23 to 38 collapsed, resulting in the deaths of six workers and injuries to one.