Foreign families of Itaewon disaster victims demand truth, accountability
Erik Evensen from Norway, the father of the late Stine Roalkvam Evensen, a victim of the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush, speaks during a press conference marking the third anniversary of the tragedy at the Itaewon Disaster Memorial Hall in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
For the first time since the deadly crowd crush in central Seoul’s multicultural Itaewon area, families of foreign victims gathered in Korea on Tuesday to mark the disaster’s third anniversary. Thirty-six bereaved relatives from 10 countries convened at a memorial in central Seoul, calling for truth, accountability and stronger safety standards following the Halloween tragedy on Oct. 29, 2022, which claimed 159 lives, including 26 foreign nationals.
Most victims were in their 20s and 30s and had come here to study or experience Korean culture, with families remembering their loved ones’ aspirations and their trust that Korea would keep them safe.
"Accidents like this have never happened before. Why now? We still wake up every morning and hope this is just a bad dream," said Erik Evensen, the father of Norwegian victim Stine Roalkvam Evensen.
Damira, the sister of Kazakh national Madina Shemiyazov, added, "Our children loved Korea and came here to study … We thought Korea was safe. We just want to prevent this from happening again — and hope for strong safety education from kindergarten onward."
Bereaved foreign families of Itaewon crowd crush victims hold a press conference marking the third anniversary of the tragedy at the Itaewon Disaster Memorial Hall in Seoul, Tuesday. Newsis
According to the coalition of bereaved families, 46 family members representing 21 of the 26 foreign victims visited Korea for a week at the government’s invitation, traveling from 12 countries, including Iran, Russia, the United States, Australia, China, Japan, France, Austria, Norway, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Like their Korean counterparts, they questioned why, three years later, little progress has been made in holding officials responsible or explaining how such a tragedy could happen. Several criticized the lack of crowd control during the Halloween celebrations and said support after the disaster was lacking — some had even learned about the deaths from news reports or friends.
On the night of Oct. 29, more than 130,000 people crowded into Itaewon’s streets, but the alley where the disaster unfolded had inadequate crowd control to prevent the deadly tragedy.
Three years later, the pain continues to linger for families, survivors, first responders and local residents. Indeed, two firefighters who responded to the tragedy died by suicide this year after struggling with the trauma caused by the deadly event.
While the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration often denied responsibility, the current government has acknowledged crowd management failures. Still, victims’ families say no senior officials have been held accountable, and thorough explanations have yet to be provided.
Bereaved foreign families of Itaewon crowd crush victims mourn their lost loved ones at the Itaewon Disaster Memorial Hall in Seoul, Sunday. Newsis
Last week, a government audit found that relocating the presidential office to Yongsan significantly increased the security needs near the compound, leaving Itaewon largely unpatrolled on the night of the disaster.
"It was not a mere accident but a devastating collapse of public responsibility," Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said during a Saturday memorial event in Seoul attended by grieving families. The government plans to hold its first official joint memorial at Gwanghwamun Square on Oct. 29 and sound a memorial siren at 10:29 a.m.
Yet for many Korean and foreign families, questions remain.
"The bereaved families here had meetings (with the Korean government) only to answer their questions, but still received no answers for questions they have," said the Itaewon disaster family coalition leader. "Even three years later, there is no closure. We still wait for justice and for our voices to be heard."