Humidifier Disinfectant Victims Solidarity and Seoul City Clash Over Memorial Altar at Gwanghwamun Square

Standoff Over Memorial Altar for Late Chairman Seo Youngcheol Since Morning

The National Humidifier Disinfectant Victims Solidarity clashed with the Seoul city government as it attempted to set up a tent at Gwanghwamun Square to prepare a memorial altar for the late chairman Seo Youngcheol.

According to Yonhap News on August 16, beginning at 11 a.m., the victims’ solidarity group and the Seoul Metropolitan Government have been confronting each other at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul over the installation of a tent to prepare a memorial altar for Chairman Seo.

A representative from the National Solidarity for Victims of the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster and a Seoul city official are confronting each other. Photo by Yonhap News.

Kim Hyunsoo, Secretary-General of the victims' solidarity, stated, “The deceased’s portrait is exposed to the rain, so we are trying to put up a screen to cover it,” adding, “We planned to set up the funeral altar at Gwanghwamun Square, and receive mourners at Seoul Plaza.”

Chairman Seo passed away on August 11 at the age of 69 after seeking emergency care at the Seoul National University Hospital due to a pneumothorax. As a victim of the humidifier disinfectant incident, he had relied on an oxygen generator and used a wheelchair during his lifetime. He reportedly left a will asking, “If I die, don’t hold a funeral. Instead, continue the protest at Gwanghwamun Square.”

The victims’ solidarity held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square on August 14, demanding that the government acknowledge responsibility for the humidifier disinfectant tragedy, issue an official apology, and resume the suspended investigation to uncover the truth.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.