Deadline extended for recognizing Itaewon disaster victims and applying for healing leave

South Korea will give Itaewon disaster victims an additional year to apply for official recognition and support, while recognized workers will have more time to seek healing leave.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said the Cabinet approved amendments on September 8 to the special law covering victims’ rights, truth-finding and measures to prevent a recurrence. The changes will take effect when they are promulgated on September 15.

The revised law sets September 16, 2027, as the completion date for the special investigation committee’s work. Existing rules required the committee to finish within one year of the decision to begin its investigation, with a possible single extension of up to three months if necessary.

As the committee’s mandate is extended, the deadline for people affected by the disaster to submit applications for victim recognition and support payments will move from March 16, 2027, to March 16, 2028. Eligible applicants include people involved in emergency rescue and recovery, people who operated or worked at businesses near the disaster area, and those who suffered physical, psychological or economic harm and need support for recovery. Public officials who took part in rescue and recovery as part of their official duties are excluded.

Workers officially recognized as victims will also have until September 16, 2028, instead of September 16, 2027, to apply to their employers for healing leave related to physical or psychological harm.