First Presidential Attendance at Itaewon Memorial: "No More Unjust Sacrifices"

[Anchor]

A memorial ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon disaster was held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. President Lee Jae-myung pledged that the nation will never again allow its citizens to suffer unjust sacrifices.

Ha Jeongyeon reports.

[Reporter]

The memorial ceremony commemorating the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon disaster began precisely at 10:29 a.m. to symbolize October 29, the date the tragedy struck.

In his memorial address, President Lee Jae-myung pledged to prevent any recurrence, stating that had the state fulfilled its responsibilities, that day in Itaewon would have remained an ordinary day.

[President Lee Jae-myung: "We will ensure that citizens will never again be unjustly sacrificed due to the absence and negligence of the state."]

Noting the revision of the special act to uncover the truth behind the disaster and the extension of the special investigation committee's term until September of next year, he stated that not a single question will be left unanswered.

[President Lee Jae-myung: "We will uncover the truth unequivocally so that not a single doubt remains, and ensure that tangible, substantial changes are confirmed in the lives of the bereaved families and the public."]

This marks the second government-level memorial service, and the first time a president has attended.

At the inaugural ceremony last year, the president could not attend due to an APEC summit schedule.

President Lee expressed his gratitude along with condolences, remarking that the bereaved families have carried on a lonely battle while the state failed to fulfill its responsibilities.

[Lee Jeong-min / Steering Committee Chair of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association: "I earnestly hope this administration will be remembered in history as a government that fully uncovered the truth behind the disaster and eased the grief of the bereaved families."]

The bereaved families emphasized that thoroughly investigating the state's response and accountability without sanctuary is the only way to honor the spirits of the victims.

(Video by Jeong Sang-bo | Video editing by Won Hyeong-hui)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.