Yoon's Second Directive on Itaewon Accident: "Dispatch Emergency Medical Team and Secure Emergency Beds" (Comprehensive)

President Yoon's First Directive: "All Ministries Led by Ministry of the Interior to Quickly Rescue Citizens... Emergency Inspection of Event Venues Nationwide"
Prime Minister Han Deok-su Also Issues Urgent Order to "Minimize Casualties"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 30th issued a second directive to the Ministry of Health and Welfare to dispatch an emergency medical team (DMAT) and secure emergency hospital beds in response to the multiple casualties at the Halloween event in Itaewon, Seoul. Prior to this, President Yoon had urgently instructed a swift safety inspection and measures at event venues nationwide to ensure rapid first aid and treatment for citizens.

Presidential spokesperson Lee Jae-myung announced at 12:16 a.m. that President Yoon had issued this urgent second directive regarding the Itaewon Halloween casualty incident.

The second directive was announced just 40 minutes after President Yoon’s first directive, which stated, "Under the leadership of Minister Lee Sang-min of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, all related ministries and agencies should make every effort to ensure rapid first aid and treatment for the affected citizens."

Given the severity of the casualties, it appears that the second directive was quickly issued based on the urgent need for medical teams and hospital bed availability.

President Yoon’s first directive also included the instruction, "The National Police Agency, local governments, and others should promptly conduct safety inspections and safety measures at event venues nationwide to ensure that Halloween events proceed in an orderly manner."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also ordered minimizing casualties the previous night. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Han instructed, "The Minister of the Interior and Safety, the Commissioner of the Fire Department, and the Commissioner of the National Police Agency should swiftly assess the damage caused by this incident and do their utmost to minimize casualties," adding, "Related agencies must ensure thorough safety measures at the scene and secure the safety of rescue personnel to prevent further damage."

He further added, "The Commissioner of the National Police Agency, the Mayor of Seoul, and the Mayor of Yongsan District should thoroughly investigate the causes and management issues of this incident and take related measures to prevent similar accidents."

According to fire authorities, as of 11:30 p.m. the previous day, dozens of people near the Hamilton Hotel in the center of Itaewon were in cardiac arrest and receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Approximately 50 patients are currently known to be in cardiac arrest.

The fire authorities reported that 81 rescue calls related to breathing difficulties and other issues have been received so far.

At 11:50 p.m. that day, the fire authorities issued a Level 3 response and deployed rescue personnel.

Parties were held in various locations around Itaewon ahead of Halloween that day.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.