Most of the Seoul crush victims have been identified, says Police
Identities of nearly all of those who were killed in Saturday's mob...
Thousands rally in South Korea for youth justice
To mourn the young victims of the Itaewon crush and to convey a harsh rebuke to the government, solemn-faced mourners gathered throughout Seoul holding white candles and black banners.
Numerous vigils and protests were organized throughout the city, drawing large crowds as public outrage over the country’s worst tragedy in almost a decade continues to grow.
During Halloween celebrations in Itaewon’s nightlife zone on October 29, a tragic crowd crush left 156 people dead, largely young people, and another 196 injured.
After a week, the police and local fire departments were raided as part of an inquiry by the authorities.
President Yoon Suk-yeol has promised to strengthen crowd control procedures going forward. The national police commander has also expressed regret.
But the public’s thirst for justice has not been quenched by it. An irony for a nation famed for its youthful, K-pop-driven image on the international stage is that many people feel a strong sense of shame over the authorities’ failure to protect its youngsters.
Activist and political groups held at least seven vigil-protests throughout the capital on Saturday, capitalizing on the fury.
Before the Itaewon disaster, an alliance of progressive organizations called Candlelight Action had been organizing regular political demonstrations against President Yoon. This was the largest one.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled two lanes of a major route near City Hall where it was held. Many protesters carried black placards that read, “Stepping down is a gesture of condolence,” sending President Yoon a clear message.
Onstage, speakers alternated between denouncing the government in statements punctuated with sombre musical performances and Buddhist monks reciting prayers.
“Although the government clearly has responsibility, it is looking for perpetrators from irrelevant organizations… the incident occurred because the government did not play its very basic role,” said one speaker.
“Step down, Yoon Suk-yeol’s government! Step down, Yoon Suk-yeol’s government!” the crowd chanted, waving their candles and placards.
At Itaewon earlier in the day, 200 demonstrators from various young political organisations gathered close to the scene of the event.
Clad in black clothing and face masks, they held aloft banners that read: “At 6:34 the country was not there [for the victims]”.
Hours before the crush really occurred, this was the time of the first emergency contact to the police. There were 11 calls made in all that evening.
The group silently marched down Itaewon’s busy main highway after holding a moment of silence while facing the alley with their heads down.
They held white chrysanthemums – the flower of grief in Korean culture – and black placards reading: “We could have saved the victims, and the government should recognise their responsibility.”
“I felt sad at first. But now I’m angry. I’m here because this incident could have been prevented. Those people were close to my age,” said 22-year-old university student Kang Hee-joo.
At their final stop, a war memorial, youth activists took turns to deliver speeches.
“This society is not normal, we are not safe. The government is not fulfilling its responsibility, it has pushed it to the youth… what kind of lesson did we learn from the Sewol incident?” said one speaker, referencing the 2014 ferry disaster that killed more than 300 people, mostly high school students.
“They always promise change with every election. But why is there always a social disaster? This is what the young people are questioning,” said another.
As darkness fell, a sea of flickering candles lit up City Hall, illuminating the demonstrators’ disguised faces. They tended to be elderly or middle-aged.
Two young adult children’s father Yeom Sung-won could still clearly recollect the Sewol incident.
“That was very sad. And it’s unbelievable this is happening again. That’s why I’ve come here,” said the 59-year-old architect as his eyes welled up with tears. “I’m heartbroken, it’s so senseless.”
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