[Press Release] Commission Launches Truth-Finding Investigations into 10 Cases Involving the Deceased and Survivors

National Commission for the Investigation of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster
Press Release
January 13, 2026

Commission Launches Truth-Finding Investigations into 10 Cases Involving the Deceased and Survivors
The Commission has decided to launch investigations into 7 applications filed by 7 survivors and 3 applications filed by bereaved families.
A total of 295 cases have been approved for investigation as of today since the Commission’s first approval to launch an investigation on June 17.

The National Commission for the Investigation of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster and Prevention of Recurrence (Chairperson Song Gi-Chun, the “Commission”) resolved, at its 45th plenary meeting on January 13, to launch truth-finding investigations into 10 cases.

This resolution to initiate investigations was made to proceed with cases received last year that had not yet been approved for investigation. The Commission decided to launch truth-finding investigations into a total of ten cases, consisting of seven cases filed by survivors and three cases filed by bereaved families.

The three applications submitted by bereaved families concern the deaths of two Korean nationals and one foreign national. The seven applications submitted by survivors involve six Korean nationals and one foreign national.

For the cases involving the deceased, the Commission will verify their whereabouts on the day of the disaster, the circumstances at the time of the disaster, and the rescue and transfer process following the disaster. The investigation will also examine the overall process of prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery related to the disaster that ultimately resulted in the victims’ deaths.

In particular, for the case involving a foreign national who lost his/her life, the assigned investigator traveled overseas to conduct an in-person interview with the applicant. Based on the truth-finding application prepared following the interview, the Commission subsequently approved the launch of the investigation.

* Reference: Current status of cumulative cases for which investigations have been initiated (including the cases initiated on January 13)
• Cases initiated upon application (158): 109 cases involving the deceased; 49 involving survivors
• Cases initiated ex officio (137): 123 cases involving survivors; 6 cases concerning truth-finding agenda; 8 cases concerning safe society agenda