Companies cancel events, biz leaders pay respects to Itaewon disaster victims

Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, offers condolences to the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush in Seoul Plaza, Tuesday. Yonhap

By Kim Hyun-bin

Companies have reduced or canceled various events due to the Itaewon crowd crush that took 156 lives while major conglomerate chiefs paid their respects at memorial services held around the capital, according to industry officials, Wednesday.

POSCO Group Chairman Choi Jeong-woo, Vice Chairman Kim Hak-dong and CEO Jeong Tak visited a temporary memorial set up in Gangnam, Seoul, Wednesday, to offer their condolences to the victims of the Itaewon tragedy.

In addition, POSCO Group flew its flag at half-mast at the front gate of the POSCO Center in Seoul, and posted condolence messages in the POSCO Newsroom as well as the company's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun expressed his condolences to the deceased.

“I am sorry for the loss and am at a loss for words. I pray that the victims can rest in peace, and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Chung said after paying his respects at the memorial set up in Seoul Plaza, Tuesday.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won offers his condolences to the victims of the Itaewon disaster at Seoul Plaza in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also visited the same memorial and offered his condolences.

“We pay tribute to those who lost their lives and wish all those who were injured a speedy recovery. We will do our best without forgetting to create a better society in the future,” Chey said.

Chairman Huh Chang-soo of the Federation of Korean Industries paid his respects along with HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap and CEO Chung Ki-sun.

Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF), visited the same memorial for the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush at Seoul Plaza, along with Vice President Lee Dong-geun, on the afternoon of the same day.

Companies are also participating in the government's national period of mourning by reducing or canceling scheduled events.

Hyosung canceled its 56th anniversary event Thursday. The commemorative ceremony has not been held due to COVID-19, and this year, due to the Itaewon disaster, the scheduled ceremony was canceled and replaced with a written commemorative speech by the chairman.

“The whole nation was shocked and saddened by the unexpected and devastating accident. It is very sad that so many young people who want to pursue their dreams have been sacrificed,” Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon said in a company intranet message, Wednesday. “We need to use this incident to prevent such a tragedy from recurring. In our workplaces, we must thoroughly examine all factors, identify risks and prepare safety manuals.”

Lotte Group canceled a concert to commemorate late founder Shin Kyuk-ho, which had been scheduled for Thursday.

Hyundai Motor Group canceled the opening performance of “Together,” a joint concert for disabled and non-disabled artists on Nov. 4, while Shinsegae Group canceled “Sseuk Day,” its biggest event of the year.

Samsung, Hyundai Motors, SK, LG and Hanwha, among others, hung their flags at half-mast outside of their headquarters and major business sites in Korea.