Memorial Address for the 3rd Anniversary of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster 

Three years have passed since the tragedy in Itaewon on October 29.

Yet, even after all this time, the mourning period has not truly ended. The truth about the tragedy has yet to be revealed, leaving the sorrow and grief caused by the loss unresolved.

Healing begins with restoring peace to our daily lives. However, most bereaved families are not the same as they used to be. For many survivors and victims, their grief today is no different than it was three years ago. When we reach out to them regarding investigative and relief efforts, they often say, "I don’t want to relive that night," or "Why now, after all this time?" Some still hesitate to speak about their pain. Perhaps it is because they have lost faith in the state, or perhaps it is due to continued victimization and indifference. In that sense, the tragedy is still ongoing.

Healing must begin with uncovering the truth. Since that night, the families have been asking why their loved ones died there and why the prevention, response, recovery, and mourning processes were so flawed. They have consistently called on us to clarify which public institutions and officials must be held accountable.

Today, the government is here to commemorate the October 29 Itaewon Disaster and stand by the bereaved families and citizens for the first time. The families' deep sorrow and call for change to prevent a recurrence have prompted the government to act. While civic groups have organized memorials calling for truth, remembrance, and justice, today’s government-organized memorial represents the state’s commitment to finding the truth and implementing systemic reforms. Tragedies are not individual misfortunes or pitiful events. They are matters of collective responsibility, requiring the state to protect the lives and safety of its people.

The National Commission for the Investigation of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster and Prevention of Recurrence was established in response to calls from citizens and to honor the state’s promise. Since starting its work on September 13, 2024, the commission has opened investigations into 92 cases filed by bereaved families, 22 cases filed by survivors, and 123 ex-officio cases initiated on behalf of the victims. The commission has also opened six ex-officio cases to uncover the truth and eight to promote public safety. It is working to collect and analyze information, interview relevant parties, and conduct field inquiries on all 251 cases.

These numbers are not just statistics. Each one represents a life lost, a family wounded, and a trace of responsibility that society has ignored for far too long. On behalf of the commission, I promise to reveal the truth and share it with the public.

The power of unveiling the truth will be significant. It will empower us to hold those responsible accountable, administer justice, and heal the pain of those who have suffered. Only truth can mend the wound. Only truth can pave the way for a safer future. The trust and cooperation of the public and the conscience of those who cannot turn away from the truth will lead us to it.

We are calling on witnesses of the tragedy, participants in the rescue efforts, and public servants who have vital information to come forward. Please help us complete this work by coming forward.

The commission is committed to rebuilding safety on a foundation of truth. We will uncover what happened that night and identify those responsible. We will address failures in prevention and response to significantly improve the nation’s safety systems. Our goal is to prevent such a tragedy from happening again and to make Korea a safe country for everyone.

The bereaved families and citizens have cried out. "If you want safety, remember the tragedy." Remembrance is not the repetition of sorrow. It is a promise of change. Today's memorial is about more than just mourning. It is a commitment to creating a safer society. We should not leave remembrance as an individual duty. It is now our shared responsibility to make it a reality in our institutions and culture.

On behalf of the commission, I reaffirm our commitment to this path. We are dedicated to creating a society that values every life. Today, we call the names of those lost in our hearts, one by one, to answer the questions left behind. When the truth is revealed at the end of this journey, our society will be reborn—freer, safer, and more compassionate.

Thank you.

October 29, 2025

The 3rd anniversary of the Itaewon Disaster

Song Ki-Choon

Chairperson of the National Commission for the Investigation of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster and Prevention of Recurrence