Seoul City Administrative Enforcement Announcement... Itaewon Bereaved Families Say "Devastated and Regretful"

by Kong Byeongseon

Published 11 Apr.2023 12:47(KST)

After the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it would no longer request dialogue with the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster regarding the Seoul Plaza memorial altar, the families expressed their opposition, calling it "devastating and regrettable."

A citizen is paying tribute at the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster memorial altar installed in Seoul Plaza, Jung-gu, Seoul, last February. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 11th, the 10·29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association and the 10·29 Itaewon Disaster Citizens’ Countermeasure Committee stated in a press release, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government has forgotten even the minimum courtesy and respect for the victims of the disaster," and criticized Seoul, asking, "Can the Seoul Metropolitan Government be said to have engaged in genuine dialogue when it only continuously pressured for the closure of the memorial altar?"

On the previous day, Lee Dong-ryul, spokesperson for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, suggested administrative enforcement of the memorial altar during a press briefing, saying, "Dialogue with the Itaewon disaster bereaved families no longer seems meaningful. It is difficult to wait indefinitely."

The bereaved families and civic groups stated, "The operation of the memorial altar falls under rites related to gatherings and demonstrations according to Article 15 of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, and therefore is neither subject to permission nor notification under current law," adding, "To prevent unnecessary disputes, we have submitted a gathering notification form for the operation of the memorial altar to the Namdaemun Police Station in Seoul."

Furthermore, they explained, "If the Seoul Metropolitan Government forcibly carries out administrative enforcement, it would be an illegal exercise of public authority infringing on fundamental rights," and "We will not yield to the unjust administration of Seoul and will protect the memorial altar together with citizens." They continued, "We express our gratitude and solidarity to the citizens of Seoul and the public who have held the hands of the bereaved families and shared their warm hearts," and added, "We ask for your continued efforts and patience until progress is made in uncovering the truth and restoring honor."