A ceremony at the National Assembly brought together the assembly speaker, lawmakers and bereaved families Tuesday to commemorate the crowd crush that killed 159 people in Seoul’s Itaewon neighborhood two years ago, with a pledge to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.

On Oct. 29 in 2022, 159 people were killed in a crowd crush during Halloween weekend in Seoul’s Itaewon nightlife district, marking South Korea’s worst-ever crowd disaster.

About 120 bereaved family members of the victims and 60 lawmakers from rival parties gathered for a memorial event at the National Assembly, the first such event organized by the assembly to commemorate a social disaster.

Photos of the 159 victims lined the walls of the ceremony venue inside the assembly members’ building, accompanied by the message, “We won’t forget the 159 stars.”

“It was a moment when the state failed in its responsibility. I apologize on behalf of the National Assembly to the bereaved family members and the victims who endured unspeakable sorrow an
d pain with their whole being,” Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said in his opening speech.

Woo also vowed full support for an investigation committee tasked with determining who should be held responsible for the deadly accident.

People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho also pledged to ensure the committee “independently carries out its assigned role,” stressing that protecting people’s lives and safety is the primary purpose of the state.

Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae criticized the government for “irresponsible” post-accident measures, accusing it of delays in appointing committee members and of providing insufficient budget and staffing.

The investigation committee was launched in September following the passage of a special bill in May calling for the formation of such a committee to look into the root cause of the tragedy.

Source: Yonhap News Agency