Yongsan-gu Dispatches Dedicated Officials for Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families... Operates Psychological Support Counseling Booths and Mind Relief Buses

Yongsan-gu Forms Dedicated Team Led by 31-Year Social Welfare Veteran on October 31 for Funeral Hall Placement, Convenience Support, Living Stability Fund Application; Provides 15 Million KRW Funeral Costs, 20 Million KRW Relief Funds, Separate Housing Support; Psychological Support Booths Near Noksapyeong Station Plaza Until November 5, Mind Relief Bus Until November 4; Trauma Healing, Stress Reduction, Depression Counseling for Bereaved and Witnesses at Yongsan-gu Mental Health Welfare Center

Mourners at the joint memorial altar installed in Noksapyeong Station Plaza

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Park Hee-young) began supporting the bereaved families of the Itaewon accident by dispatching a dedicated team to the funeral hall on October 31.

The dedicated team consists of a team leader with 31 years of social welfare experience and 2 to 3 social welfare staff members. They assist the bereaved families in stabilizing their lives by supporting funeral arrangements, acting as agents for funeral expenses and relief fund applications, among other services.

The funeral expenses cover up to 15 million KRW. The district directly settles actual costs with funeral-related businesses. However, if the bereaved families have paid the funeral expenses themselves, the amount is deposited into their accounts. Eligible costs include transportation, autopsy, use of the funeral hall, portrait photos, memorial rites, altars, and meal expenses related to the funeral procedures.

A district official stated, “We start with just the deceased’s name and funeral hall information,” adding, “We will assess the situation of the bereaved families on-site and provide the necessary assistance.”

The relief fund amounts to 20 million KRW. Separate from this, housing support expenses of up to 70,000 KRW per day for a maximum of 7 days are provided as needed for disaster recovery. If the deceased was the main income earner, living expenses (up to 3 months) are supported based on household income criteria. For other inquiries, contact the district’s Welfare Policy Division.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “We will devise practical and concrete measures with deep condolences,” and added, “I hope the staff assigned to the funeral hall can be of some comfort to the bereaved families.”

The district operates a joint memorial altar at Noksapyeong Station Plaza (134 Itaewon-ro) until 11 PM on November 5. Fourteen staff members work daily at the altar. Doctors, nurses, and ambulances are stationed on-site to prepare for any emergencies. Floral tributes are available so that any visitors can pay their respects. As of noon on November 1, the cumulative number of mourners reached 4,320.

Yongsan-gu (Mayor Park Hee-young) has launched psychological counseling support for bereaved families and witnesses affected by the Itaewon accident.

A psychological support counseling booth and a Mind Relief Bus have been set up near Noksapyeong Station Plaza, where the joint memorial altar is located.

The psychological support counseling booth operates until November 5, the last day of the joint memorial altar. Operating hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM. Two counselors are stationed there to conduct psychiatric evaluations and counseling. If necessary, connections to specialized institutions (mental health welfare centers, psychiatric medical institutions, etc.) are also arranged.

The Mind Relief Bus is operated by the National Trauma Center. It provides programs such as mental health assessments, stress measurement, counseling, and stabilization techniques to aid psychological relaxation for trauma caused by the Itaewon accident. It operates until November 4, from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.

Additionally, the Yongsan-gu Mental Health Welfare Center is actively providing psychological support to high-risk groups such as bereaved families and witnesses.

Psychological counseling for foreigners is supported through the Yongsan-gu Mental Health Welfare Center and the National Trauma Center.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “To overcome trauma, it is important to return to daily life as soon as possible,” and added, “I hope not only the bereaved families and injured from the Itaewon accident but also anyone in need of counseling will receive help.”

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