Third Anniversary of the Itaewon Tragedy: Woo Wonshik, Jeong Cheongrae, and Jang Donghyuk Gather Together

First Official Government Memorial Ceremony Three Years After the Itaewon Tragedy
Ruling Party: "A Clear Man-Made Disaster... Special Act Amendment to Be Processed Swiftly"

Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Wonshik and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties gathered on the 29th to mark the third anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy, mourning the victims and offering condolences to their bereaved families.

Speaker Woo, Jeong Cheongrae, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Jang Donghyuk, Leader of the People Power Party, attended the "Itaewon Tragedy 3rd Anniversary Memorial Ceremony" held at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the same day. The ceremony began at 10:29 a.m., symbolizing October 29, the date of the tragedy, with a memorial siren sounding throughout Seoul.

Woo Wonshik, Speaker of the National Assembly (from left), Jeong Cheongrae, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Jang Donghyuk, Leader of the People Power Party, and Cho Guk, Emergency Committee Chairman of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, are singing the national anthem at the 3rd anniversary memorial ceremony of the October 29 Itaewon tragedy held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News

This memorial ceremony marks the first official government-led remembrance event held three years after the tragedy. It was jointly organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the October 29 Itaewon Tragedy Bereaved Families Association, and the Citizens' Countermeasures Committee.

At the event, Speaker Woo pledged to pass the "Basic Act on Life and Safety," which the families of the victims have long demanded be enacted without delay. In his memorial address, he stated, "The National Assembly will ensure that the national consensus that protecting the lives of the people is the state's greatest responsibility is completed through legislation," adding, "We will make sure to pass the Basic Act on Life and Safety, which has been delayed for too long."

The bill for the Basic Act on Life and Safety was jointly proposed in March by Park Jumin, a member of the Democratic Party, and Yong Hyein, leader of the Basic Income Party, among others. The core of the bill is to establish an independent investigative body for safety accidents and to impose on the state the duty to guarantee the right to safety for all people. The bill is currently pending in the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee.

Speaker Woo remarked, "This occasion feels all the more special as it is the first time the government has officially hosted the event, with the families of foreign victims also present." He continued, "Now is the time for the truth. A few days ago, the results of the government’s joint audit officially confirmed facts that had long been shrouded in doubt."

He went on to mention that the Special Investigation Committee on the October 29 Itaewon Tragedy began its investigation in June, pledging, "We will support the committee so that it can fully maintain its independence and authority and fulfill its mission." He emphasized, "The National Assembly will stand together until the very end to ensure that the truth is revealed without any concealment and that all those responsible are held fully accountable."

He also promised to establish measures to prevent secondary harm to the victims and bereaved families. Speaker Woo stated, "We will redouble our efforts to strengthen measures so that insults and hatred against the victims and their families can no longer take root," adding, "On the path toward truth and justice, we must all stand together so that the bereaved families and victims are not left alone."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, and Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, attended the "October 29 Itaewon Disaster 3rd Anniversary Memorial Ceremony" held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 29th and greeted each other. 2025.10.29 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Leader Jeong, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, announced plans to promptly process the "Itaewon Tragedy Special Act Amendment" to aid victim recovery and uncover the truth. The amendment focuses on preventing secondary harm to victims, establishing a trauma center, and suspending the statute of limitations for disciplinary actions related to the tragedy.

Regarding the government's recent audit result, which suggested that the 2022 relocation of the presidential office to Yongsan contributed to the October 29 Itaewon tragedy, he stated, "Had the government properly managed the crowd, this tragedy could have been prevented. Ultimately, it was a disaster that occurred because the state failed to fulfill its responsibilities," defining the Itaewon tragedy as a "clear man-made disaster."

Those in attendance at the memorial included Prime Minister Kim Minseok as the government's representative, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, Cho Guk, Emergency Committee Chairman of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, Lee Jooyoung, Policy Committee Chair of the Reform Party, Yong Hyein, Leader of the Basic Income Party, Kim Jaeyeon, Standing Representative of the Progressive Party, Jeon Hyunhee, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party, Seo Youngkyo, Member of the Democratic Party, and Cho Baesook, Member of the People Power Party.

The ceremony proceeded with a memorial video of President Lee Jaemyung, remarks from representatives of the bereaved families, readings of memorial addresses and poems, and a memorial performance.