Prime Minister Han Seong-sook Deeply Apologizes Again for Itaewon Disaster: "Truth Must Be Clearly Uncovered"

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook bowed her head at a memorial ceremony for the Oct. 29 Itaewon disaster, saying, "On behalf of the government, I once again offer my deepest apologies."

Attending the civic memorial rally for the 4th anniversary of the Itaewon disaster held at Seoul Plaza yesterday afternoon (October 24), Prime Minister Han said, "The state exists to protect the precious lives and daily lives of the people."

Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung also apologized to the bereaved families in October last year, stating, "As the president responsible for the lives and safety of the people, I once again extend my deep apologies to the bereaved families and the public."

Prime Minister Han promised, "Although last year's joint government audit confirmed the overall failure of the response system and revealed that disciplinary action against those responsible was insufficient, we have not provided sufficient answers to the desperate voices of the bereaved families demanding the truth and the fulfillment of accountability. We will ensure that the truth is clearly uncovered. We will provide all necessary support and cooperation so that the investigation and the special investigation committee's probe can be conducted thoroughly."

Prime Minister Han also added, "Reflecting the wishes of the bereaved families, we will work with local governments and civil society to build memorial facilities for healing and recovery, and support the establishment of a foundation to commemorate the victims," adding, "We will ensure that the records and lessons of the disaster are fully preserved and passed on, and thoroughly improve the disaster prevention and response system."

She pledged, "Although we fall far short of fully measuring the weight of grief from losing beloved family members, we will not leave that sorrow as your burden alone. We will listen closely to your voices and fulfill the state's responsibilities to the very end."

The government set up a joint prosecution-police investigation team in July last year to investigate the causes of the disaster and secondary victimization against victims and bereaved families for one year and two months, and a separate team has currently been formed at the National Police Agency to continue the investigation.

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