Yoon Attends Memorial Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral... Visits Religious Circles for Third Consecutive Day to Pay Respects

First Official Apology at Jogyesa on the 4th, "Sorry Feelings" Mentioned Again During Worship on the 5th

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee attended a memorial mass for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy held at Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 6th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol attended a memorial mass for the victims of the 'Itaewon tragedy' held at Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 6th. Following a Buddhist ceremony on the 4th and a church service on the 5th, he has expressed his condolences by attending religious events for three consecutive days.

On this day, President Yoon did not deliver a special memorial speech during the mass. Dressed in a black suit, he visited Myeongdong Cathedral and observed the mass with a solemn expression throughout. When the announcement for the Liturgy of the Hours was made, he stood up, made the sign of the cross, and prayed.

Earlier, on the 4th, President Yoon visited the 'Memorial Buddhist Service' at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, and the day before, he attended a 'Consolation Worship' held at Ha-eun Hall on the Seoul campus of Baekseok University. At Jogyesa Temple, he said, "As the president responsible for the lives and safety of the people, I feel deeply sorrowful and apologetic," adding, "My administration and I will do our best to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again."

This was the first time President Yoon publicly expressed "I am sorry" after the 'Itaewon tragedy.' In his memorial speech, he said, "No words can replace the sorrow," and added, "As the grief and pain run deep, I am fully aware that the responsibility to handle the accident responsibly and, above all, to prevent such a tragedy from happening again lies heavily on me and the government."

At the consolation worship on the 5th, he said, "Parents lost their beloved children, and friends lost precious companions overnight," adding, "My heart is heavy. It truly pains me. The regret of not being able to protect these young lives will never leave me." He also urged, "This tragedy is the sorrow and pain of all of us. I ask the Korean church and its believers, who have always been a strong support for those in need, to embrace our society’s pain with love and faith."

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