Itaewon Disaster Fourth Anniversary Memorial Rally: "We Must Fulfill Our Responsibility to Truth and Justice"

About 1,500 Attend, Including Families of Foreign Victims... Names of 160 Victims Read Aloud
Bereaved Families and Civil Society Call for a Thorough Investigation and Support for Victims

A citizens' memorial rally marking the fourth anniversary of the October 29 Itaewon disaster was held at Seoul Plaza on October 24. About 1,500 people, including bereaved families and members of the public, attended, according to organizers, to commemorate the victims and call for the truth to be established and for measures to prevent a recurrence.

Yonhap News Agency

The rally began with the names of the 160 victims being read aloud one by one. The death toll increased by one after a merchant who had suffered trauma during the rescue efforts and died last April was officially recognized as a victim.

Zahra Rezaei, an Iranian woman who lost her son in the Itaewon disaster, said in her memorial address, "Along with remembering the victims, we have a responsibility to truth, justice and the future." She said the disaster must not be left as merely a sad day in people's memories.

Lee Jeongmin, chair of the steering committee of the 10/29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association, said, "Not a single day has passed during these four changing seasons when we have grown accustomed to the emptiness left by our children." He pledged to work toward building a safer society.

Prime Minister Han Seongsuk, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, and 35 bereaved family members of foreign victims from 10 countries also attended the event. The foreign victims' families are scheduled to visit the schools the victims attended and places they loved during their lives through October 30, and to take part in events including a meeting with the Special Investigation Commission on the 10/29 Itaewon Disaster.

In a joint declaration, the Citizens' Countermeasures Meeting urged the government to develop measures to support the treatment, recovery and livelihoods of survivors and rescuers. It also called for a thorough investigation to establish why the response failed despite numerous reports and requests for rescue at the time of the disaster.

The rally also featured memorial performances by singers Kim Sawol and Lee Hancheol, as well as a choral performance by the Peace Tree Choir.

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