Ministry of Education to Promote 'Honorary Graduation' for University Students Injured in Itaewon Tragedy... Support for Leave of Absence for the Injured

Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju-ho Chairs Follow-up Support Measures Meeting After Itaewon Incident
Psychological Support Services and Intensive Inspection of 235 University Multi-use Facilities

Memorial space for the Itaewon disaster created at Itaewon Station, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Honorary graduation is being promoted for university students who died in the Itaewon tragedy. Various academic support measures, such as leave of absence processing, will be prepared for the injured.

On the afternoon of the 9th, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, chaired the "Itaewon Accident Follow-up Support and Safety Enhancement Measures Meeting" at the Government Sejong Complex, discussing these measures with the Chairperson of the University Education Council and university presidents.

At the meeting, academic support measures for victims within universities related to the Itaewon tragedy were reviewed. The Ministry of Education plans to actively interpret laws, school regulations, and rules to prepare various academic support measures such as honorary graduation, academic record adjustments, attendance, and leave of absence processing. Additionally, a monitoring and inspection system will be continuously maintained to ensure that bereaved families and enrolled students receive sufficient support.

As one of the support measures, some universities are reportedly considering awarding honorary bachelor's degrees to their deceased students. For the injured, measures such as recognizing absences for treatment as attendance or processing leave of absence are being reviewed. High-risk students are receiving focused support through collaboration with external specialized institutions such as the National Trauma Center, Mental Health Welfare Centers, and local hospitals.

Universities will operate an "Intensive Psychological Support Period for University Students" until the 9th of next month, providing counseling and other programs to students who have directly or indirectly experienced the Itaewon tragedy.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education will establish a school safety management system together with universities and conduct intensive inspections of 235 multi-use facilities within universities, such as auditoriums and gymnasiums, within this month. According to the Ministry of Education, 46 universities where casualties occurred after the Itaewon accident have provided psychological support services to a total of 3,616 students through 167 programs so far. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho stated, "We will actively cooperate with universities so that university students can return to their normal educational routines," adding, "We will not forget the heartbreaking and tragic feelings and will do our best to ensure that the younger generation can prepare for the future more safely."

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