[Itaewon Tragedy] Families of Itaewon Victims Visit Memorial Altar at Muan Airport

"Civil Committee Should Be Formed to Uncover the Truth"

On the 6th day of the Jeju Air disaster, on the afternoon of the 3rd, about 20 members of the 10·29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association visited the joint memorial altar set up at Muan International Airport to pay their respects. Photo by Yonhap News

Families who lost their children in the Itaewon disaster in 2022 offered comfort to families who experienced a similar tragedy.

On the sixth day after the Jeju Air disaster, about 20 members of the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association visited Muan International Airport, paid their respects at the joint memorial altar, and met with the bereaved families.

Lee Jungmin, the head of operations for the Itaewon Bereaved Families Association and father of the late Lee Jooyoung, said, "I'm sure all the bereaved families feel a sense of unreality and can't believe everything that is happening," adding, "That's why I hesitated about coming here."

He continued, "However, solidarity among bereaved families who have experienced a disaster can be a great source of strength, so I came here," and added, "If there is anything I can do to help, I want to do so."

Bereaved families of the Itaewon tragedy looking at a condolence letter. Photo by Yonhap News

The bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster, after touring the airport, suggested that a citizens' committee should be formed to investigate the truth and commemorate the victims.

Moon Sungcheol, father of the late Moon Hyogyun, said, "At the time, we hurried the funeral because we thought we had to transport the bodies quickly, and as a result, it took a long time for the scattered families to come together," adding, "Nothing has really been properly investigated or resolved in the two years since the accident."

He continued, "The families need to stand together, but I worry that the geographical location of Muan may make it difficult to receive support from civic organizations," and added, "I heard that the bereaved families are still suffering from secondary harm, such as indiscriminate malicious comments, just like two years ago. I hope you can overcome this well."

Previously, about 30 members of the 4.16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Families Association visited the joint memorial altar at Muan International Airport on the 1st to offer their condolences, and families of the Gwangju Hakdong collapse disaster and Daegu subway fire disaster also laid flowers at the altar.