Kim Dong-yeon Targets Seoul City, "Is It Difficult to Establish a Memorial Space?"

"If Bereaved Families Wish, Gyeonggi-do Will Provide Space"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, criticized Seoul City for conflicting with the bereaved families over the installation of a memorial altar at Seoul Plaza for the Itaewon tragedy, saying, "It doesn't seem that difficult to accommodate (the families' requests)."

In an interview on June 15 with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Governor Kim said, "From the bereaved families' perspective, they want many citizens to remember those who lost their lives, and they want a place where everyone can pay their respects if possible. Is it really that difficult to provide such a place?"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (left) and Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

He added, "Recently, a responsible official from Seoul City said to set up (the memorial altar) at Suwon Station or the Gyeonggi Provincial Office," and continued, "We are ready to provide space anytime and anywhere if the bereaved families want it."

Earlier, Oh Shin-hwan, Seoul City's Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs, posted a rebuttal on Facebook on June 9 after Governor Kim criticized Seoul City regarding the Itaewon tragedy memorial altar installation issue. He targeted Governor Kim by saying, "Out of the 159 victims, 39 are residents of Gyeonggi Province. Why not set up a memorial altar at Suwon Station Plaza and a memorial hall inside the Gyeonggi Provincial Office?"

Governor Kim pointed out that Seoul City should have engaged in sincere dialogue with the bereaved families. He said, "There must be a sincere apology and reflection on the tragedy. This applies to both Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and President Yoon Suk-yeol," adding, "It should not be a formal statement but a heartfelt reflection and apology, acknowledging the mistakes. Only then can the trauma of the victims and their families be healed."

He continued, "Forcibly dismantling the memorial space by Seoul City is truly wrong," emphasizing, "They need to understand the bereaved families' feelings and resolve the issue from their perspective."

Seoul City announced that it would forcibly remove the memorial facilities related to the Itaewon tragedy installed at Seoul Plaza around 1 p.m. that day. However, the bereaved families remain firm in their stance to protect the memorial altar at Seoul Plaza. The families consolidated the citizen memorial altar set up at Noksapyeong Station into the Seoul Plaza altar the day before. Seoul City maintains its position to forcibly remove the altar if the removal deadline is exceeded, making a clash inevitable.

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