Tragedy Strikes While Celebrating Promotion... Bereaved Families Weep and Colleagues Are Stunned

Inside Story of Death in Sicheong Station Wrong-Way Accident Sparks Emotion
Bank Holds Mourning Period After Losing Many Employees at Once

In the wake of a wrong-way driving accident near Seoul City Hall Station that claimed the lives of nine people, it has been revealed that colleagues from a major bank headquartered near the accident site were involved in the tragedy while moving after a 'promotion celebration dinner.'

On the morning of the 2nd, debris from the accident was scattered on the sidewalk near the intersection by Seoul City Hall Station, where a major traffic accident occurred the previous day.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Four bank employees, including Mr. Park, were standing on the sidewalk near City Hall Station on the evening of the 1st after having dinner when the unexpected accident occurred. They were mostly colleagues from the same department, with a senior-junior relationship, and it is known that the gathering was to celebrate the promotion of the youngest among the four, Mr. Park. Notably, Mr. Park was recognized as a skilled financial professional, even being introduced as an asset management expert on the bank’s official YouTube channel. The bank, having lost many employees at once, reportedly decided to observe a mourning period.

The funeral rites for the four were held at the same hospital funeral hall. Colleagues, recalling Mr. Park who was promoted on the day of the accident, were reported to be at a loss for words, saying, "It was the best day." The mother of one deceased, Mr. Lee (54), wept while holding her grandson, saying, "How could you leave your child like this?" The elderly mother, with white hair, lamented, "Where do you think you’re going? Do you know where you’re going? I should go first; what if you go first?" drawing sympathy from those around her. Another deceased, Mr. Lee (52), was known to have raised one son and two daughters, adding to the sorrow.

The accident site is a densely populated area not only with City Hall but also office buildings of banks and corporations, as well as restaurants and commercial establishments. Most of the victims were office workers who had been working late nearby or were leaving after dinner. Mr. Yoon (31), a tax department employee at Seoul City Hall, was also involved in the accident while leaving after dining with two colleagues. Mr. Kim In-byeong (52), the head of the Seoul City Hall building operations team and part of Yoon’s group, also died. Another person sustained minor injuries.

All the deceased were men in their 30s to 50s; six died at the scene, and three were transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest but were pronounced dead. In addition to the driver, Mr. A, and his wife, two pedestrians and the drivers of two vehicles hit by Mr. A’s car were injured, totaling six injured. The police plan to request the National Forensic Service to inspect the vehicle for sudden unintended acceleration, as claimed by the suspect.