Itaewon Tragedy Bereaved Families March Through Seoul Downtown... "Rejecting the Veto on the Special Act"

March Holding 159 Banners Matching 159 Victims

The Bereaved Families Association of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster (Yugahyeop) and the Citizens' Countermeasure Meeting marched through downtown Seoul on the 3rd, condemning President Yoon Suk-yeol and the People Power Party for vetoing the 'Itaewon Disaster Special Act.'

That afternoon, they held a press conference in front of the incense altar at Seoul Plaza in Jung-gu, stating, "We can no longer tolerate the Yoon administration and the People Power Party, who ignore the disaster and abuse their veto power," and added, "President Yoon's abuse of veto power, which restricts the legislative authority of the National Assembly, deserves condemnation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Jeong-min, an operating committee member of Yugahyeop, criticized President Yoon's veto of the special act, saying, "It was hard to believe how those in responsible government positions, who claim to represent the people's will, could make such an irresponsible decision while wearing the guise of humanity." He continued, "We will hold this administration and the ruling party accountable for their arrogance, irresponsibility, and disregard and neglect of the people," adding, "We warn that the suffering caused by their flawed politics will be returned to them in full, and they will face proper judgment."

The participants carried 159 banners inscribed with slogans such as "Uncover the Truth of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster" and "Reject the Veto of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster Special Act," marching from the incense altar through Jongno 2-ga Intersection and Euljiro 2-ga Intersection to the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu. The banners bore numbers from 1 to 159 to honor the 159 victims of the Itaewon disaster.

After the march, participants tied the banners to fences around the Government Seoul Office and Gwanghwamun Square. During this process, when some participants deviated from the march route, the police broadcast warnings, stating, "You are deviating from the march route and installing unauthorized banners," and urged, "Please promptly cease the violations." However, no participants were arrested at the scene.

Originally, they planned to march from the incense altar to the Yongsan Presidential Office on the day, but when the police prohibited it, they filed for a suspension of enforcement. The court permitted the march and assembly but imposed some restrictions on the number of participants. Considering the court's decision and counter-protests by conservative groups reported in front of the Presidential Office, they changed the march route.