South Korea marks fourth anniversary of Itaewon disaster with memorial events from Oct 24

Gyeonggi Province is running a memorial period through 30 October for the fourth anniversary of the 10·29 Itaewon disaster, the province said on 21 October. A memorial flag has flown at the provincial government building since 19 October, and a memorial banner is displayed at its entrance. Gyeonggi said it will again share the pain of the bereaved families and victims through the display, as it did last year. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]

From 24 October, an online memory space on the province's website, gg.go.kr, lets anyone leave messages for the victims and words of comfort for their families. Asia Economy and Seoul Economic Daily said the space grew out of a memorial message board opened right after the disaster. Newsis reported that the display of memorial items at the building began at the bereaved families' request. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]

Governor Choo Mi-ae plans to attend the government's official ceremony at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on 29 October. She said she deeply mourns the victims and offers sincere comfort to the bereaved families and victims. She added that Gyeonggi will not forget the pain of that day, will listen to the voices of victims and families, and will take responsibility for protecting residents' lives and safety. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]

On 22 October the Interior Ministry said a citizen memorial rally will be held at 17:30 on 24 October at Seoul City Hall plaza. It is organised jointly with the bereaved families' council, the citizens' task force and Seoul city. About 2,000 people are expected, including Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, party and religious representatives, civic groups and citizens. Families of foreign victims, about 30 people from 10 countries, attend at the government's invitation. Newsis said the event comes while the special investigation committee's inquiry period has been extended. [ 6 , 7 ]

The rally, themed 'With the light of stars, toward the truth' according to the Kyunghyang Shinmun, will include a roll call of the names of 160 victims, a moment of silence, the prime minister's address, a video, greetings from foreign victims' families and a performance. A prayer meeting by religious groups at the disaster site begins at 13:00, followed by a memorial march to the plaza. Memorial booths open at 14:00. [ 6 , 7 ]

The separate official ceremony takes place at 10:29 on 29 October at Gwanghwamun Square. The Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that, unlike last year, no memorial siren will sound. It said a one-minute siren was sounded across Seoul last year, but noise complaints led to the decision, with the bereaved families' consent, not to repeat it. The newspaper also said 159 people suffocated in the Itaewon alley in Yongsan, Seoul, on 29 October 2022, during Halloween festivities. Newsis said memorial banners are also to be displayed at local government buildings across the country through 31 October. [ 6 , 7 ]