[Itaewon Tragedy] Oh Se-hoon Heads Straight to Accident Site Immediately After Returning Home... "Heartbroken, Doing Our Best to Manage the Situation" (Comprehensive)

Oh Se-hoon, Returning Urgently After Suspension of European Business Trip, Pays Silent Tribute at Accident Site
Regarding Seoul City's Responsibility, Says "Assessing Situation... Will Clarify Position Later"
Attends First Disaster Safety Countermeasure Meeting After Return

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the site of the 'Halloween crowd' crush accident in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 30th and received an explanation about the situation from fire officials.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who abruptly cut short his European business trip and returned home, visited the Itaewon disaster site in Yongsan-gu on the 30th, expressing a "heartbreaking feeling" and stating, "We will do our best to manage the aftermath of the accident." After inspecting the Itaewon accident site, Mayor Oh bowed his head in silent prayer in front of chrysanthemums placed at the entrance of the alley.

Arriving in Itaewon at 5:40 p.m. on the 30th, Mayor Oh toured the accident site and told reporters, "Most of the casualties are young people like sons and daughters, which makes the situation even more heartbreaking," adding, "I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families."

He continued, "Now, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will do its utmost to manage the aftermath of the accident," and said, "We will take care of the funeral procedures and prepare to mourn together with the citizens." He also pledged to do his best for the recovery of the injured and expressed gratitude to the citizens who helped at the scene. Regarding inquiries about the declaration of a special disaster area, he mentioned, "If a special disaster area is declared, there will be ways to assist not only Seoul citizens but others as well."

Regarding criticism that the Seoul Metropolitan Government failed to properly prepare accident prevention measures, Mayor Oh said, "I just arrived and am currently assessing the situation," and promised to clarify his position later. He added that he has not yet communicated with President Yoon Seok-yeol but shared the situation with Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min just before returning and agreed to cooperate upon invitation.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (right) and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon entered the situation room at Seoul City Hall on the afternoon of the 30th to check the situation related to the crowd crush accident during the Halloween event in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Mayor Oh, who had been touring major European countries since the 21st, halted all schedules and hurried back upon hearing the news of the accident. Arriving at Incheon International Airport around 4 p.m. that day, he immediately headed to Itaewon to inspect the accident site, then visited the emergency room of Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Seoul, where some of the victims were admitted. Afterwards, he stopped by the Government Seoul Office in Gwanghwamun to discuss countermeasures with related ministries.

At 8 p.m., he arrived at City Hall and met with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had come to discuss the accident response measures. Prime Minister Han urged Mayor Oh, saying, "Please mobilize all available resources to prevent any further tragic incidents," and requested, "Conduct a thorough inspection of large-scale events." In response, Mayor Oh said, "Since the government has designated a national mourning period until the 5th of next month, we will cancel festive events and ensure solemn memorials take place," adding, "We will assign dedicated officials to support funerals and provide psychological treatment for witnesses of the accident."

On the 30th, ahead of Halloween, flowers were placed in the Itaewon area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the victims of the large-scale crush disaster that occurred in the Itaewon district. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

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