Registration Opens on the 6th for Attendees of the Itaewon Disaster Fourth-Anniversary Memorial Ceremony

[Financial News]  The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) will accept applications from the general public starting on the 6th to attend the 'October 29 Itaewon Disaster Fourth-Anniversary Memorial Ceremony,' which will be held on the 29th. About 1,000 people, including government and political party representatives, lawmakers, civic groups and members of the public, are expected to attend. Among the 35 bereaved family members from overseas who will visit South Korea for the memorial events, a representative will also deliver remarks.
MOIS announced on the 5th that it would hold the fourth-anniversary memorial events jointly with the October 29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association, the October 29 Itaewon Disaster Citizens’ Countermeasures Meeting and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The events will consist of a citizens’ memorial service, which anyone may attend freely, and the official fourth-anniversary memorial ceremony, which requires advance registration.
The citizens’ memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the 24th at Seoul Plaza. Anyone may participate at the venue without advance registration.
The official memorial ceremony will begin at 10:29 a.m. on the 29th at Gwanghwamun North Square, the site of the disaster. It will open with a moment of silence for the victims, followed by a memorial address from a government representative and remarks from a representative of the bereaved families. A memorial video expressing mourning and a commitment to uncovering the truth will also be shown, looking back on the four years since the disaster.
Thirty-five bereaved family members from overseas will also visit South Korea for the memorial events. A representative of the families will deliver remarks at the ceremony. The program will also include novelist Bora Chung’s 'A Writing of Remembrance,' a reading of the 'Fourth-Anniversary Pledge' by bereaved families and citizens, and commemorative performances by singers and musical theater actors.
Those wishing to attend the memorial ceremony may apply through the registration website from the 6th through the 19th. If applications exceed the venue’s capacity, final attendees will be selected by random draw.
Shin Gi-dong, head of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster Victims’ Relief and Memorial Support Group, said, "I hope this memorial event will serve as an opportunity to deeply etch in our hearts the 'spirit of remembrance' that ensures we do not forget the victims and the 'spirit of solidarity' that allows us to rely on one another," and added, "I ask for the public’s keen interest and warm participation."


[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter