Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is meeting and talking with the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster victims at the "House of Stars" in Seoul on the 24th.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon has decided to hang memorial banners at the Suwon Southern Government Complex and Uijeongbu Northern Government Complex to mark the 2nd anniversary of the '10·29 Itaewon Disaster.' Additionally, after the 2nd anniversary memorial ceremony, he plans to invite the bereaved families back to Gyeonggi Province.
Gyeonggi Province announced on the 25th that Governor Kim made this promise after meeting with the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster victims at the 'House of Stars' in Seoul on the 24th.
During the meeting, when a bereaved family member cautiously requested, "There are many victims from Gyeonggi Province, so we ask the governor to hang a memorial banner," Governor Kim readily accepted, saying, "I will do so. How could that be difficult? I have that (memorial) feeling every day."
In particular, he added on the spot, "I will make sure to display the memorial message you mentioned prominently on the outer wall of the provincial government building," and further said, "Moreover, to allow residents to pay their respects more, I will also hang it at the Northern Gyeonggi Government Complex."
When the bereaved families requested, "Please invite us once again after the 2nd anniversary event," he responded, "Of course, I will gladly invite you. If you come, I will be the one who is grateful and happy."
Lee Jeong-min, an executive committee member of the Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association, said, "We are thankful that Governor Kim visited and comforted us again. We welcome it. It will be a great strength to us."
Recalling the luncheon on December 13 last year, he said, "We felt very isolated back then and only received cold neglect, but at that time (the luncheon at Dodamso), we felt great warmth. We felt very well treated, which was very comforting."
Meanwhile, Governor Kim said that day, "Seeing the post-it notes with messages saying 'I miss you' made my heart ache. To the bereaved families once again..." and was unable to continue speaking.
Governor Kim wrote on a post-it note, "159 stars, we will not forget."
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