Sixth Day of Continuous Condolences... Yoon to Release 'Message to the Nation'?

- Previous day "Heartbroken and sorry" first official apology... Additional statements rather reduce burden
- Need for 'national message' conveyed to Presidential Office and Yoon... Concerns over variables in accident handling and investigation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to deliver a separate public message as the national mourning period for the Itaewon tragedy comes to an end. Since President Yoon issued his first apology message at the 'Itaewon Tragedy Memorial Buddhist Service' the day before (the 4th), the internal atmosphere within the presidential office suggests that the burden of making an additional statement has rather decreased. It is also anticipated that President Yoon will appear directly before the public.

According to the presidential office and senior government officials on the 5th, President Yoon is considering making a statement regarding the Itaewon tragedy. At the government level, the presidential office has been advised that President Yoon should issue a public message such as an apology. A senior government official said, "As the mourning period is coming to an end, we conveyed the view to the presidential office that it is time to communicate with the public."

The day before, President Yoon made his first official apology at a memorial event held at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, saying, "As the president responsible for the lives and safety of the people, I feel deeply sorrowful and apologetic." If President Yoon issues an additional message, it is expected to include a stance on responsible accident management and a promise for a thorough investigation.

The presidential office stated, "We believe a public message is necessary in some form," recognizing the need for a message but still deliberating on its format and content. Given the growing criticism of the police's responsibility and the opposition party's attacks, there is concern that President Yoon's message could be exploited for political conflict.

Opinions are divided on whether the president should apologize. While some analyze that the president's apology at the end of the mourning period and the start of intensified opposition attacks could soothe public sentiment, others argue that it might be premature without a full investigation. A presidential office official also said, "(The president's) apology is not difficult," but added, "Factors such as the impact on the aides and ministry officials dedicated to managing the situation, and those identified as subjects of investigation, are variables."

On the last day of the national mourning period, the 5th, President Yoon visited the joint memorial altar at Seoul Plaza to pay respects. Chief Secretary Kim Dae-gi, Senior Secretary for Civil Society Kang Seung-gyu, and Senior Secretary for Public Relations Kim Eun-hye accompanied him. As it was the final day of the national mourning period, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min also attended.

President Yoon also visited the joint memorial altar at Seoul Plaza the day before. On October 31, the first day the joint memorial altar was set up, he visited Seoul Plaza, and on November 1, he visited the joint memorial altar at Noksapyeong Station Plaza to pray for the victims. On the evening of the 1st, he visited funeral halls in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province on a private schedule to console the bereaved families. President Yoon's visits to the victims' memorial altars and funeral halls, both officially and unofficially, continued daily until the end of the national mourning period on the 5th.

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