Safety measures take priority 1 year after Itaewon crowd crush

A safety worker, center, and a police officer, left, are deployed for crowd control in an alley next to the Hamilton Hotel in central Seoul's Itaewon, Saturday, on the eve of the first anniversary of a crowd crush that took 159 lives in the same alley last year. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Police officers were visibly present throughout the streets and alleys of Itaewon on Saturday evening, as part of enhanced safety measures introduced a year after the tragic Halloween crowd crush that claimed 159 lives.

In comparison to its usual status as one of Seoul's iconic Halloween celebration destinations, Itaewon was notably quieter this year.

In the lead-up to this year's Halloween weekend, there had been growing concerns over a possible recurrence of the tragedy, but there were no reports of crowd-related accidents, according to the National Police Agency, Sunday.

Starting around 6 p.m., police officers, personnel from the fire department and staffers from Yongsan District Office which is in charge of Itaewon as well as Seoul Metro were deployed in the entertainment district, primarily around Itaewon Station on Seoul Metro Line 6, to manage traffic and prepare for potential safety accidents.

“With police officers visible on every street, it feels like safety is under control, and seems that safety accidents won't occur this year,” said Cho Yeon-jin, 26, who visited Itaewon with her friends on Saturday evening.

The sound of police whistles directing road traffic reverberated through the streets near Itaewon Station.

Barricades were set up in the alleys to prevent people moving in both directions from mixing together and causing congestion, which has been cited as one of the contributing factors to last year's tragedy. Especially in the narrow, sloped alleys around the Hamilton Hotel, where the accident took place, exit- and entrance-only paths were designated to prevent overcrowding.

In addition to managing pedestrian flow, fire trucks and emergency medical teams stood by to respond quickly to any emergency situations.

Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, front center, conducts an on-site inspection, Saturday, at Itaewon's October 29 Memorial Alley, where a disastrous crowd crush took 159 lives a year ago. Yonhap

Approximately 3,000 public office staffers, police and rescue workers are planned to work on-site until Wednesday, according to Yongsan District Office.

Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min conducted an on-site inspection on Saturday afternoon in Itaewon, as well as downtown Seoul's Myeong-dong and the area around western Seoul's Hongik University, all of which were expected to draw large crowds over Halloween weekend.

Despite the stringent safety management focus, Itaewon did not attract as many visitors, maintaining a relatively subdued atmosphere.

“On the weekend before Halloween last year, it took at least three minutes to move a few steps. This year, it seems there aren't as many people, with a similar level to normal weekends after last year’s accident,” said a manager at a bar adjacent to the Hamilton Hotel.

Another worker at a bar near Itaewon Station mentioned that more than 50 groups of people were waiting in line last year, even after midnight, while there were only four groups in line that day as of midnight.

According to real-time data from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, approximately 12,000 people visited Itaewon as of 10 p.m., indicating a "lightly crowded" status.

People in costumes celebrate Halloween in central Seoul's Itaewon, early Sunday. Korea Times Photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Itaewon maintained a commemorative atmosphere throughout the evening, but after 10 p.m., more people in Halloween costumes began to appear. Past midnight, the streets echoed with loud music from clubs and pubs, and more Halloween celebrants emerged.

There were no specific Halloween-themed shops or events, but the quiet celebration of Halloween continued as people took pictures in their costumes.

Meanwhile, the streets around Hongik University were significantly more crowded compared to Itaewon. More than 22,000 people gathered in the Hongdae area around 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., indicating "crowded" conditions, according to real-time data provided by the city government.

There were many more individuals in costumes in Hongdae than in Itaewon, and banners promoting Halloween special makeup were also seen in the streets.

However, like Itaewon, Hongdae also had a strong safety management presence. Exits 8 and 9 of Hongik University Station on Line 2, known for attracting a high floating population, were separated respectively into entrances and exits.

Near the area where bars and clubs are concentrated, Mapo District Office established a joint situation room, assisting police and the fire department in preparing for safety accidents.

Bereaved families who lost loved ones in last year's Itaewon crowd crush march with other citizens from Itaewon Station toward Seoul Plaza, Sunday, to take part in a commemorative ceremony marking the first anniversary of the disaster that claimed 159 lives on Oct. 29 last year. Yonhap

Bereaved families remember victims in ceremonies

Marking the first anniversary of the tragic crowd crush on Sunday, the bereaved families held memorial events throughout the day.

A mass for the victims was held at Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul. The families then gathered near Itaewon Station at 2 p.m. and marched from the station, passing by the presidential office and Samgakji Station on lines 4 and 6 before proceeding to Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall.

The memorial ceremony commenced at 5 p.m. at the plaza. The organizers had initially anticipated around 3,000 attendees, but they said nearly 10,000 people took part while the police estimate was around 7,000.

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and Ihn Yo-han, head of the innovation committee of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), as well as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon were among those present to mark the anniversary.

Bereaved family members cry during a memorial event of the first year anniversary of the Itaewon crowd crush at Seoul Plaza, Sunday. Yonhap

The bereaved families fervently emphasized the importance of remembering the crowd disaster to prevent future such tragedies.

"Please remember the tragedy that left bereaved families, survivors, residents and nearby merchants suffering from trauma, which can’t be erased easily," said Lee Jeong-min, the head of the group of bereaved families, who lost his daughter in the crowd crush.

Those present also commonly stressed the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the accident and called for the enactment of a special law that will include various measures including an investigation by an independent counsel.

“We will pursue the truth relentlessly and hold the state accountable for failing to safeguard the lives of its people, ensuring that this tragedy, which occurred on Oct. 29, will never be forgotten,” the DPK chief said.

Main opposition Deocratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung, right, shakes hands with ruling People Power Party's innovation committee head Ihn Yo-han at Seoul Plaza before the memorial ceremony of the first anniversary of Itaewon crowd crush, Sunday. Yonhap

While President Yoon Suk Yeol did not attend the ceremony, he attended a service at Youngahm Church in Seoul where he delivered a memorial speech.

"This day last year was the saddest day of my life," he said. "We have the responsibility to build a better world and make sure the victims' sacrifice will not go wasted."