Committee to Review and Decide Victim Eligibility
Support Includes Healing Leave and Living Assistance Funds
With the launch of the committee to review the support criteria for victims of the October 29 Itaewon tragedy, practical living and medical support for the victims will officially begin.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that the "October 29 Itaewon Tragedy Victim Relief Deliberation Committee" held its inaugural meeting on the 21st and will begin activities to support and provide relief for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy. The committee, under the Prime Minister’s Office, consists of nine members including government officials and private experts in human rights and living support sectors.
On October 27, 2023, ahead of the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy, citizens are passing by the '10.29 Path of Memory and Safety' created near Itaewon Station in Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Earlier in January, the "Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Guaranteeing the Rights of Victims of the October 29 Itaewon Tragedy, Fact-Finding, and Prevention of Recurrence," which includes the formation of the committee, passed the Cabinet meeting. The Itaewon Special Act was passed by the National Assembly plenary session last May, 18 months after the tragedy. The act focuses on establishing a special investigation committee to re-investigate the incident and mandates support from the state and local governments for all aspects of the victims’ daily lives. However, the formation and authority of the special investigation committee faced political deadlock between ruling and opposition parties, delaying the passage of the bill.
The newly launched committee, according to the Itaewon Tragedy Special Act, will review and decide on victim eligibility and promote and monitor victim relief measures. At its first meeting, the committee established operational rules and discussed the direction of support for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy. If recognized as a victim through the committee’s deliberation and resolution, individuals will receive living support funds and medical support funds. The committee will determine the specific criteria and scope of payments. Medical support funds will cover expenses incurred from the date of the tragedy up to October 28, 2032.
Victims of the tragedy may also receive psychological and mental health treatment or up to six months of healing leave. The government will pay all or part of the employment retention costs to employers who allow healing leave for their workers. Those planning to take healing leave must submit an application to their employer at least 30 days prior to the scheduled start date.
Additionally, support measures will be prepared to promote psychological stability and community recovery for victims and residents of affected areas. This will involve developing community recovery programs and providing various costs necessary for participation. The support period is three years, but the committee will decide annually whether to continue support and may extend the period.
Shim Young-jae, head of the October 29 Itaewon Tragedy Victim Relief and Memorial Support Group, stated, "We will do our best to ensure that support for the victims and bereaved families of the Itaewon tragedy proceeds smoothly through close communication."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
