"Should Have Saved More" "Still Comes to Mind"…The 'Trauma' of the Alley Merchants

Post-it Notes and Letter Memorial Space Transformed
Merchants Who Saved Citizens "Tormented by Guilt"

The alley where the Itaewon tragedy occurred is transforming into a memorial space after the police line was removed. However, the merchants in the alley who helped save citizens are suffering from trauma, including feelings of guilt.
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] “When I see empty chairs, it feels like those people are sitting there.”

On the afternoon of the 17th, in an alley next to the Hamilton Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, a monk was striking a wooden percussion instrument called a moktak at the point where a red partition wall begins. In front of him were refreshments left by citizens. Colorful Post-it notes were stuck around the alley. There was a letter with ink smudged as if it had been rained on. It read, “The student ID card came out so beautifully; I wish you could have seen it.” It expressed a promise to remember the victims and stay together even after turning 10,000 years old. One citizen mourned the victims with a message saying, “Because of what was done, there is no such thing as a natural death.” The “desperate handprints on the day of the disaster” were also visible on the red fence. The palm-shaped marks extended about 30cm downward.

The alley where the Itaewon tragedy occurred has transformed into a memorial space after the police line was lifted. However, the merchants in the alley who saved citizens are suffering from trauma and feelings of guilt.

‘The grandson's desperate handprint on the day of the disaster.’ The traces of that day are also visible on the red fence. The palm-shaped mark extended about 30cm downwards.
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

The shops in the alley had their sign lights on but were not open for business. Employees of the hip-hop club ‘108 Lounge’ in the alley, who spoke with our newspaper, testified that from around 10:15 p.m. on the day of the disaster, people began crowding at the club entrance. Realizing the severity of the situation, the staff opened the doors and started rescuing those who had already collapsed. Manager Kim Sanghyun (29) said, “There were people who had already closed their eyes.” They focused on rescue efforts, such as splashing water to revive consciousness or putting oxygen masks brought by paramedics. They finished the rescue work in a frenzy by 1 a.m. the next day, and except for one manager, the staff went home.

Employees of the hip-hop club '108 Lounge' in the alley, who met with our newspaper, have all been receiving psychological therapy since that day. They also said they feel guilty for not being able to save more victims.
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

Since that day, all of them have been receiving psychological treatment. They are also experiencing physical changes such as auditory hallucinations. Lee Sanghyun (24), who guards the club entrance, was even advised to be hospitalized. Lee said, “The day after the disaster, while showering, I kept feeling like the victims were holding onto me,” and with teary eyes added, “When I’m at home, it feels like the spirits are calling me.”

He also said he feels guilty for not being able to save more victims. Manager Jung Banseok (29) said, “As the eldest among the staff, I tried to act like I was okay, but I would vomit for a while after eating,” and “Many friends feel regret or guilt for not being able to save more.”

Similarly, Nam Inseok (80), who also saved lives in the alley, said he cannot sleep because of memories of that day. He gave shoes to people entering his store and helped evacuate them. However, he could only watch people being crushed for over 30 to 40 minutes, and those scenes keep coming back to him. Nam said, “Most of the visitors were in their 20s and 30s,” and added, “I still think about it and tears well up.”

Those experiencing psychological difficulties, including bereaved families, injured victims, families, witnesses, and the general public related to the Itaewon accident, can seek help by contacting ■Mental Health Crisis Counseling Hotline (1577-0199) ■National Trauma Center (02-2204-1435) ■Foreigners (for those needing interpretation) (1577-1366) Korea Healthy Family Promotion Agency Danuri Call Center ■Youth (1388) Korea Youth Counseling & Welfare Institute Youth Counseling ■General Public (1670-9512) Disaster Psychological Recovery Support Center.

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