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🇰🇷 South Korea /Disasters & Emergencies

Itaewon disaster victims' families demand special prosecutor, law revisions

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Families of Itaewon disaster victims protested, demanding a special prosecutor and revisions to the special law to ensure thorough truth-finding.
  • They criticized the special investigation committee for internal conflicts and a lack of progress, with only one case recognized as a victim in over a year.
  • The families urged for the committee's term to be extended and for it to be granted investigative powers to address the ongoing need for truth and prevention.

Grief-stricken families of the Itaewon disaster victims took to the streets, their voices choked with emotion as they demanded accountability and a more robust pursuit of truth. "Hanna, it's been four years since I last called out your name like this," read a letter from one mother to her deceased daughter, a testament to the enduring pain.

Hanna, it's been four years since I last called out your name like this. Almighty God, please hear this mother's prayer. Let our Hanna's injustice, the deaths of 159 people, not be in vain.

— Lee Ae-ran, mother of victim Jo HannaReading a letter to her deceased daughter at a press conference demanding accountability for the Itaewon disaster.

The families gathered in front of the Blue House in Seoul, criticizing the special investigation committee's slow progress and internal strife. "The special investigation committee, which has spent 1 year and 3 months, wake up," read one protest sign, reflecting their frustration. They highlighted that in over a year, the committee had only officially recognized one additional victim, who died from trauma, bringing the total to 160. Internal conflicts led to the resignation of the committee's former chair and the dismissal of its truth-finding director.

The special investigation committee, which has spent 1 year and 3 months, wake up.

— Protest signHeld by victims' families at a press conference demanding progress in the Itaewon disaster investigation.

With the committee's investigation deadline looming on July 16, the families are pushing for an extension and stronger investigative powers, including the right to request a special prosecutor. They are concerned about potential gaps in investigations following changes to the prosecution law. "We need a special prosecutor, amendments to the special law, and oversight and checks on the special investigation committee," stated one of the demands during the press conference.

For the past 1 year and 3 months, the special investigation committee has only recognized one person, who died from trauma in April, as the 160th victim.

— Statement from victims' familiesRead at a press conference criticizing the committee's lack of progress in the Itaewon disaster investigation.

The families submitted a plea to the President, urging for measures to fill potential gaps in joint investigative teams and for continued attention to their pursuit of truth. Their demands underscore a deep-seated need for closure and prevention, ensuring that the tragedy of Itaewon is not forgotten and that lessons are learned to avert future disasters.

We need a special prosecutor, amendments to the special law, and oversight and checks on the special investigation committee.

— Statement from victims' familiesDemands made at a press conference regarding the Itaewon disaster investigation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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