'Will provide full support for investigation and special committee probe'

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook delivers remarks at an integrated care forum held at the Seo-gu district office in Daejeon on Oct. 16. [Yonhap]
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook delivers remarks at an integrated care forum held at the Seo-gu district office in Daejeon on Oct. 16. [Yonhap]

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook bowed her head in apology Saturday at a memorial ceremony for the Oct. 29 Itaewon crowd crush, pledging to provide all necessary support and cooperation for the investigation into the disaster.

Speaking at a civic memorial rally at Seoul City Hall Plaza to mark the fourth anniversary of the tragedy, Han said, "The state exists to protect the precious lives and daily lives of its people," and added, "On behalf of the government, I again offer my deepest apologies."

President Lee Jae Myung had also apologized to the bereaved families last October, saying, "As the president responsible for the lives and safety of the people, I again offer my deepest apologies to the families of the victims and to the public."

Han acknowledged that a joint government audit last year had confirmed systemic failures in the emergency response and revealed that disciplinary action against those responsible had been inadequate. "But we have not been able to give a sufficient answer to the desperate voices of the bereaved families demanding that the truth be established and accountability be fulfilled," she said.

She went on to say, "We will ensure that the truth is clearly established," and pledged to "provide all necessary support and cooperation so that the investigation and the special committee's probe can be carried out thoroughly."

Han also said the government would work with local governments and civil society to build a memorial facility for healing and recovery in line with the wishes of the bereaved families, and would support the establishment of a foundation to honor the victims. "We will ensure that the records and lessons of the disaster are fully preserved and passed on, and we will thoroughly improve our disaster prevention and response systems," she added.

"I am deeply inadequate in fully grasping the weight of grief felt by those who have lost a beloved family member, but I will not leave that grief as yours alone to bear," she said. "I will listen to your voices and fulfill the state's responsibility to the end."

The government set up a joint police-prosecution investigation team in July last year and conducted a 14-month probe into the causes of the disaster and secondary harm inflicted on victims and bereaved families. A separate team has since been formed within the Korean National Police Agency to continue the investigation.


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