Kim Hyun-gi, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Consoles Victims and Bereaved Families... "Best Efforts to Prevent Recurrence"

Seoul Metropolitan Council to Enact 'Ordinance on Security and Safety for Multi-Gathering Events'... Administrative Audit and Budget Review Scheduled for 52 Days from November 1 to December 22... Moment of Mourning for Itaewon Accident Victims Held Before Opening Ceremony of 315th Regular Session

A moment of silence is being observed for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy before the plenary session.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Seoul Metropolitan Council (Chairman Kim Hyun-gi) will hold the 315th regular session from November 1 to December 22 for 52 days, during which it plans to conduct administrative audits, question Seoul city administration and education administration, and review and approve the budget proposals of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

Before the opening ceremony of the 315th regular session, the Seoul Metropolitan Council held a moment of silence to mourn the victims of the Itaewon incident that occurred on the night of October 29.

Following this, Chairman Kim Hyun-gi expressed his apology on behalf of the Seoul Metropolitan Council regarding the Itaewon incident during his opening remarks. He offered condolences to the victims who lost their lives in the incident and wished for the injured to recover quickly and return to their daily lives.

He especially noted that many young people were lost in this incident, and many parents had to say goodbye to their children first. While acknowledging that no consolation can truly reach their hearts, he urged those struggling not to try to overcome it alone but to reach out to public support.

He also stated that losing precious youth due to a series of heartbreaking incidents is truly shameful. While promises to prevent recurrence are always made, he pointed out that these have often become empty cries, which is an uncomfortable truth for all.

However, he urged that this time, together with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, they must sincerely strive for improvement. The Seoul Metropolitan Council announced its intention to promote the enactment of the “Ordinance on Security and Safety Assurance for Mass Gatherings.”

Lastly, he mentioned that there were also foreign victims who visited Seoul and requested that the city take measures and provide support so that the families of the foreign victims do not suffer further distress.

This regular session will begin with the opening ceremony on November 1, followed by ▲ administrative audits for 14 days from November 2 to November 15, ▲ the city administration speech on the 2022 budget submission on November 15, ▲ representative speeches of negotiation groups and questions on Seoul city administration and education administration from November 16 to November 18, and ▲ deliberations on the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education budget proposals and other agenda items by standing committees and the special budget and settlement committee from November 21 to December 15.

Opening Remarks of the 315th Regular Session

November 1, 2022

Dear ten million citizens of Seoul!

Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Superintendent of Education Cho Hee-yeon, and all attending public officials!

And fellow senior and colleague council members!

On the night of October 29, a tragic and sorrowful incident occurred in Yongsan Itaewon.

It is a devastating sorrow.

On behalf of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, I bow my head in apology.

I once again pray for the repose of the victims who lost their lives.

My deepest condolences go to the families plunged into grief and sorrow. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured so they may soon return to their daily lives.

For this 315th regular session, I have prepared remarks to deliver to the citizens, the mayor, and the superintendent of education.

However, I judged it inappropriate to speak today and will address these during the mayor’s and superintendent’s budget speeches at the next plenary session.

The Itaewon incident claimed the lives of teenagers and young adults in their 20s and 30s.

Many parents had to say goodbye to their beloved children prematurely.

The pain of losing a child is unbearable.

I believe that no words of consolation I offer now will reach their hearts.

I reread a passage written by the late author Park Wan-seo.

"Offering respectful condolences to those who have suffered a loss is a beautiful moral act unique to humans.

However, condolences offered to a mother who has lost a child, no matter how careful and sincere, are cruel torture and an unbearable humiliation.

It is natural for a child to receive condolences when the parent passes away, but to suffer the reverse and be forced to accept this cruel fate is a miserable situation," she deeply lamented.

We are losing precious youth due to a series of heartbreaking incidents. This is truly shameful.

We always promise to prevent recurrence, but these have often become empty cries, which is also our uncomfortable truth.

Mayor,

and Superintendent of Education,

things must change from now on.

Let us work together with the council to sincerely improve the situation.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council will promptly promote the enactment of the “Ordinance on Security and Safety Assurance for Mass Gatherings” by referring to advanced cases.

Foreign visitors to Seoul were also victims in this incident. It is our duty to ensure that guests feel comfortable during their stay and return safely, so this is truly shameful and regrettable.

I repeatedly urge the Seoul Metropolitan Government to take all necessary measures and provide support so that the families of the foreign victims do not suffer further distress.

To the parents who lost their children,

this pain will likely last long and deeply.

It is said that a mother worries first about her child’s grave getting wet in heavy rain.

When it is too difficult, please do not try to endure it alone but reach out to public support. The Seoul Metropolitan Council will silently empathize and stand with you.

And we will pray.

Once again, I pray for the repose of the deceased and offer my condolences to all who have parted with their loved ones.

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