Lee Attends Itaewon Disaster Memorial for First Time: "Never Again Will People Be Sacrificed by State Neglect"

Memorial service marking the 4th anniversary of the Itaewon disaster held on the 29th
Lee attends, first president ever to do so
"A full accounting of the facts is the starting point for healing"

On the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon disaster, President Lee Jae-myung said on the 29th, "We will ensure that our people are never again unjustly sacrificed because of the absence or neglect of the state. The dignity of the victims must never be violated, and the state must never again reopen the wounds of bereaved families, who live with a heartrending longing for their loved ones."

President Lee made the remarks as he attended a memorial service for the Itaewon disaster in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, with First Lady Kim Hye-kyung. "I bow my head in deep gratitude and offer my condolences to the bereaved families, who have overcome immeasurable pain and opened a new path toward a safer society through their tears," he said. President Lee wore a black suit and tie, with a purple ribbon-shaped badge commemorating the victims of the Itaewon disaster on his left lapel.

President Lee Jaemyung delivers a memorial address at a ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Oct. 29, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

This was the first time a president had attended the memorial service for the Itaewon disaster. The Blue House said it reflected "the determination to strengthen state responsibility and restore public trust." President Lee described his feelings, saying, "Four years have passed since 160 universes came crashing down, and October has come around again. Knowing that no words of comfort can be enough in the face of a loss and pain that remain as vivid as if they happened yesterday, I stand here with a cautious and heavy heart."

"On that day, when what should have been a joyful autumn night turned into the scene of a horrific tragedy, the state was nowhere to be found," he said. "The once-unshakable belief that the state would protect the lives of me and my family was shattered." He added, "If the state had fulfilled its responsibilities, that day in Itaewon would have remained an ordinary day, no different from any other."

Addressing the bereaved families, he said, "While the state, which is duty-bound to protect the safety and lives of its people, failed to fulfill its responsibilities, you continued your lonely struggle on the cold streets. At times, you had to endure indifference and misunderstanding, and when the state should have been the first to reach out, you instead had to demand truth and accountability from it."

A bereaved family member wipes away tears at a memorial ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Oct. 29, 2026. Yonhap News

He also pledged a thorough investigation into the truth. "With the firm belief that a full accounting of the facts is the starting point for complete healing, we amended the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Truth-Finding Act last September and extended the Special Investigation Commission's term through September 2027," President Lee said. "We promise to uncover the truth so that not a single question remains unanswered, and to ensure that the truth we uncover leads to measures to prevent a recurrence."

President Lee also promised, "I will make sure that the commitments I make here today bring tangible change to the lives of the bereaved families and the public. The state will fulfill its responsibility by protecting the ordinary, taken-for-granted daily routine of a family member leaving home after breakfast and returning safely in the evening."

President Lee offered his condolences to the victims and concluded his memorial address with the words, "I will not forget. I will remember to the very end."

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