the city government does not authorize the altar for the victims of Itaewon

The families of the 159 children who died on Halloween night held a demonstration and set up a memorial structure in front of the city hall. Civil society organizations and members of the opposition party accused the conservative executive of not having done anything to help the city overcome the trauma of the tragedy.

Seoul () – The Halloween tragedy in Itaewon continues to be an unforgettable nightmare for the families of the 159 victims. The city government is not helping society overcome its trauma by preventing a memorial structure from being erected in front of City Hall.

To commemorate the hundred days of the massacre, the families of some victims had applied to the municipal administration for authorization to organize a public event in Gwanghwamun Square, the main square of the capital. conservative authorities they rejected the requeststating that the place had already been reserved for other activities that day.

On February 4, however, the relatives gathered in the center and anyway they erected an altar for the victims. Together with some 5,000 people, the protesters marched through the streets of the capital and set up a structure in front of the town hall despite not having permission from the local authorities. The police intervened to try to stop the installation, but gave up after a brief confrontation with relatives.

numerous civil society groups and opposition parties joined the commemoration. The tone of the demonstration, according to local press reports, soon turned into an attack on the national government of conservative Yoon Suk-yeol, accusing it of failing to protect the victims. “You cannot find the responsibility of the state before the tragedy, after the tragedy and now,” opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said from a box. Slamming the incumbent executive’s alleged dictatorial nature, Lee added that “the Seoul city government has also coldly rejected the bereaved families’ request for even a small space to commemorate the victims.”

But the municipal authorities did not give up and ordered the removal of the installation. The city council had initially ordered the families to remove the altar by February 6, but the deadline was later pushed back. Meanwhile, the vice mayor of Seoul contacted one of the family’s representatives to propose an alternative space inside the Noksapyeong subway station. The proposal was not welcomed and was interpreted as an attempt to hide and silence the demonstration of mourning.

On the other hand, near Noksapyeong Station, families had already erected a memorial shrine, which turned out to be cramped and difficult for many people to access. Not to mention the fact that the structure had been repeatedly damaged by a far-right group.

The families of the victims do not give up and take turns to stand guard next to the altar in front of the town hall. But the authorities continue asking for it to be removed. Yesterday the vice mayor announced to the families that they have until February 12 to dismantle the unauthorized structure. After that, Law Enforcement could intervene.