[Lee Itaewon Disaster] Ministry of Industry Cancels Korea Sale Festa Opening Event

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 30th that it will cancel the opening ceremony of the 2022 Korea Sale Festa (Kosepe) scheduled for the 31st as a tribute to the victims of the Itaewon tragedy.

The opening ceremony was scheduled to be held the next morning in front of the Myeongdong Arts Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul, to promote the Kosepe week, a large-scale discount event in the distribution industry running from the 1st to the 15th of next month, with First Vice Minister Jang Young-jin expected to attend.

However, the Kosepe week will proceed as planned.

Additionally, the Ministry canceled the performance (dance) program involving all participants during the Energy Diet Supporters inauguration ceremony held the same morning. The Ministry stated that it plans to adjust events that do not fit the mourning atmosphere.

According to the fire authorities, as of 10 a.m. on the day, 151 people have died and 82 were injured in a large-scale crush disaster in the Itaewon area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the night of the 29th. The accident is presumed to have occurred due to a crowd gathering in a narrow alley about 4 meters wide with a downhill slope next to the Hamilton Hotel, causing a crush accident.

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