2030's View on the Itaewon Tragedy: "Could I Have Avoided It? Measures to Prevent Recurrence Must Be Implemented"

'2030 10 People Witnessed the Itaewon Crowd Crush Disaster'
Thorough Investigation Needed to Reveal the Truth
Calls for System Improvements Including Deployment of Safety Officers

On the 31st, citizens are paying their respects at the joint memorial altar for the victims of the Itaewon accident set up at Noksapyeong Square in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Jang Sehee, Yoo Byungdon, Oh Gyumin] Everyone said they couldn't believe it. The victims of the Itaewon tragedy were friends, colleagues, and younger siblings to them. Such loved ones disappeared overnight. They say the emptiness still rises like waves from time to time. Why did this happen? They were asking themselves this question and seeking answers. Our paper met with 10 people from the 2030 generation to hear their voices. Each voice was slightly different, but within them was a shared hope: 'May such pain never be repeated again...'

"It is even more shocking because it was a place we went to every year and knew well. This place was always crowded during this season, so I still can't believe such an accident happened so suddenly. The survivor and witness accounts saying 'someone pushed' seem credible, and I hope the investigation results come out soon." (Moon Hyehyun, 28, office worker)

"Thinking about the 10s and 20s generation who couldn't properly attend school due to COVID-19 and went out to Itaewon to have a joyful day but met with tragedy breaks my heart. I hope this opportunity leads to the establishment and solidification of safety systems such as traffic control and safety personnel deployment during large-scale events and festivals." (Kim Bitna, 35, office worker)

"This Itaewon tragedy is especially heartbreaking because it was the Halloween festival enjoyed mostly by young people, and the majority of victims were in their 20s. I think creating safe recreational spaces where many people gather, establishing minimum rules defined by society, and improving civic awareness are necessary." (Jung Aram, 34, self-employed)

"I think this accident was an explosion of various energies suppressed over three years of COVID-19. When events are held in places like Itaewon, which have many narrow and sloped areas, various accidents that can occur when crowds gather could have been predicted, so it is regrettable that prior safety measures to prevent accidents were insufficient." (Namgung Min, 34, office worker)

"It was hard to believe this reality was more like a movie than a movie itself, and I wanted to deny that so many people who came out expecting a joyful day suddenly lost their lives. During this mourning period for the deceased, I hope indiscriminate criticism and blame under the pretext of investigating the cause of the accident will be refrained from, and we can pray together for the repose of the departed." (Son Sumin, 29, office worker)

"It is truly sad that they left this world at a young age. To prevent future accidents, creating one-way routes at festival sites where large crowds gather to prevent bottlenecks and having safety personnel deployed by the merchant associations that benefit most from the festival would make the festival safer to enjoy." (Jo Yoonsang, 28, researcher)

"A close acquaintance lost their life in this accident, and I went to the funeral hall. It is such a sad event, and I feel devastated. I believe thorough follow-up management must be carried out to prevent such incidents from recurring." (Lee Junsu, 29, office worker)

"I don't know how long our society will continue to attribute such tragedies to 'individual choices.' The reason our society grants strong political authority and enforcement power to professional bureaucrats is because we believe they have the ability to respond flexibly to various situations. I hope no event will betray this trust again." (Jung Sunryeol, 34, teacher)

"Since the Gwangju tragedy, I feel fear when passing through construction zones. What if a building collapses and crushes me? Whether boarding a boat or crossing a bridge. I was lucky it wasn't me, but there is no law that says I won't be a victim of any disaster. I hope national-level measures to prevent recurrence will be properly implemented, and I pray for the deceased." (Lee Eunsoo, 28, public servant)

"Having experienced past accidents that hurt our hearts, I thought the national system managing safety would have improved, but nothing has changed in the end. Amid this, I feel great anger at the remarks of the minister in charge trying to evade responsibility, and I want to mourn those who tragically lost their lives. I feel sorry for those who must have witnessed the horrific scenes firsthand." (Baek Sehyun, 29, graduate student)

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