4th Anniversary Citizen Memorial for Itaewon Disaster to Be Held at Seoul Plaza on the 24th

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that the citizen memorial service for the 4th anniversary of the October 29 Itaewon disaster will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the 24th at Seoul Plaza.

Jointly hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Council, the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Citizens' Solidarity, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, this year's event will be attended by about 2,000 people, including Prime Minister Han Sung-sook, representatives of political parties and religious groups, and citizens.

Following last year, around 30 bereaved family members of foreign victims from 10 countries will also participate at the invitation of the government.

Held under the theme "Toward the Truth, Through the Light of the Stars," the memorial ceremony will feature a roll call of the 160 victims, a moment of silence, memorial addresses, a screening of a memorial video, remarks from foreign bereaved families, and commemorative performances.

Prime Minister Han, who serves as the chairperson of the Itaewon Disaster Victims Memorial Committee, will deliver a memorial address to offer condolences to the victims, bereaved families, and survivors.

A representative of the solidarity for disaster victims will also read a memorial address.

Singers Kim Sawol and Leehan, along with the Tree of Peace Choir, will perform commemorative pieces, and five representatives of the Citizens' Solidarity will read a joint declaration.

Prior to the main event, a religious prayer meeting will be held at 1 p.m. at the disaster site, followed by a memorial march to Seoul Plaza.

Starting at 2 p.m. at Seoul Plaza, citizen participation programs will be operated, including an exhibition of memorial messages, folding purple star symbols—a memorial symbol—and making remembrance items.

The visiting foreign bereaved families will also participate in communication events with domestic bereaved families, visits to memorial spaces such as the victims' alma maters, and press conferences for domestic and foreign media.

Separately from the citizen memorial service, the government's official memorial ceremony, the "4th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony," will be held at 10:29 a.m. on the 29th at Gwanghwamun Square.

Minister Yunho stated, "The attendance and hearts of each and every citizen will be the greatest comfort to the bereaved families and a beacon of hope to make our society safer," adding, "We kindly ask many citizens to join us at the site to share warm comfort and remembrance."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.