What did President Lee Jae Myung promise at the fourth-anniversary memorial for the Itaewon crowd crush?

Lee pledged to leave no suspicions unresolved and said he would ensure people were not unjustly sacrificed because of state absence and negligence. He also said the investigation should uncover the truth and help prevent a recurrence.

What did investigators find about when the interior ministry learned of the Itaewon crowd crush and notified Lee Sang-min?

The commission’s interim findings said the interior ministry’s situation room became aware of the crush at 10:48 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2022. It notified then-Interior Minister Lee Sang-min 43 minutes later.

How long will the Itaewon disaster investigation commission continue its work?

The commission’s mandate has been extended until September 2027. Lee said the extension would allow it to continue seeking the truth and connect its findings to preventing a similar disaster.

Lee vows to leave no suspicions unresolved on 4th anniv. of Itaewon crowd crush

Listen

Summary

President Lee Jae Myung vowed Thursday at a memorial event in Seoul to resolve all suspicions about the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush. He said his administration would pursue the truth and prevent a recurrence, citing new disaster-protection legislation. The special commission investigating the disaster has had its mandate extended until September 2027. The crush killed 159 people and injured 196.

Key Facts

The memorial at Gwanghwamun Square brought together about 1,000 people, including victims, bereaved family members and lawmakers.
The National Commission for the Investigation of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster said the interior ministry’s situation room learned of the crush at 10:48 p.m. on the night of the tragedy.
The commission said then-Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was notified 43 minutes after the situation room became aware of the crowd crush.
The commission plans to question former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who are both in custody in connection with Yoon’s failed martial law bid in December 2024.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 29, 2026 1:15 pm KST

President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech during a memorial event marking the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon crowd crush at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung vowed Thursday to leave no suspicions unresolved regarding the deadly 2022 Itaewon crowd crush as he marked its fourth anniversary.

Lee made the promise during a memorial event at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, which brought together some 1,000 people, including victims, bereaved family members and lawmakers.

"I will make sure the people are never again sacrificed unjustly due to the state's absence and negligence," he said, alluding to the preceding administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol, which was in office at the time of the tragedy.

"My administration is focusing the nation's capabilities on creating a country where everyone is safe," he added, citing new legislation aimed at better protecting people from disasters and accidents.

Lee noted that under his administration the mandate of a special commission investigating the disaster has been extended until September 2027.

"This is a promise to uncover the truth until not a single suspicion remains and ensure the truth leads to preventing a recurrence," he said.

The tragedy happened on Oct. 29, 2022, during Halloween festivities in Seoul's nightlife district of Itaewon, where crowds surged into a narrow alley, leaving 159 people dead and 196 injured.

The National Commission for the Investigation of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster has been tasked with uncovering the cause and on Tuesday announced its interim findings, including that the interior ministry's situation room became aware of the crowd crush at 10:48 p.m. on the night of the tragedy, but only notified then Interior Minister Lee Sang-min 43 minutes later.

The panel said it plans to question Yoon and the former minister, both of whom are currently in custody in connection with Yoon's failed martial law bid in December 2024.

Explore More