Thousand of South Koreans holding candles and placards ask the President to step down after the Halloween night stampede in Seoul.
In the biggest tragedy in South Korea, Seoul, Itaewon, in nearly a decade, at least seven vigil protests were held across Seoul on Saturday and thousands of young South Koreans called for President Yoon Suk-Yeol to step down.
“Step down, Yoon Suk-yeol’s government! Step down, Yoon Suk-yeol’s government!” the crowd chanted with candles and placards in their hands.
President Yoon declared a national week of mourning and vowed to improve crowd control measures following the tragedy, after being criticized for not providing a larger police presence.
South Korean police have launched an investigation into how the Itaewon Halloween horror occurred, interviewing witnesses and reviewing footage.
South Korean mourners demand justice for Itaweon Halloween deaths, telling President Yoon Suk-yeol’s government to ‘step down.” Thousands gather to remember and mark the tragic deaths of 156 people in Itaewon but despite their grief, those in attendance use their placards to send President Yoon Suk-Yeol’s government a clear message that he needs to resign.
What Happened On the Night of the Tragedy?
On October 29, roughly 100,000 people gathered in Seoul’s nightclub district of Itaewon to celebrate the first Halloween event in three years. The crowds were heavily packed in, and in that massive sea of people, young attendees were crushed and struggled to breathe, as they lost their lives.
Apparently, no authorities tried to organize the crowds which led to their deaths.
Those attending vigils in the heart of Seoul commemorated the tragedy – which injured another 196 people – with the nation’s grieving flowers, white chrysanthemums, and candles.
Raphael Rashid, “Progressive groups are currently staging a massive candlelight vigil protest in the heart of Seoul to remember those who tragically lost their lives in the Itaewon crush disaster exactly 1 week ago, and call for the resignation of President Yoon Suk-Yeol. Thousands here.”
He went on to say, “On stage going through every minute of the disaster, every call that was made hours in advance warning of an imminent tragedy, and how authorities basically did nothing.”
Progressive groups are currently staging a massive candlight vigil protest in the heart of Seoul to remember those who tragically lost their lives in the Itaewon crush disaster exactly 1 week ago, and call for the resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol. Thousands here. pic.twitter.com/s1DtcWRhWt
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) November 5, 2022
The mourning and outrage steamed against government officials who apparently failed the young people who were killed that night.
Professor Ashok Swain drew a comparison between India and South Korea where even after the collapse of Morbi bride, taking 140 lives, there is no strong public outcry for the dead.
He writes, “Thousands of South Koreans are holding candles and placards asking President to step down to mourn the 156 victims killed in the Itaewon crowd crush. In India, 135 people were killed due to the Morbi bridge collapse; they have been completely forgotten, and God has been blamed.”
Thousands of South Koreans are holding candles and placards asking President to step down to mourn the 156 victims killed in the Itaewon crowd crush. In India, 135 people were killed due to the Morbi bridge collapse; they have been completely forgotten, and God has been blamed. pic.twitter.com/ItPNeuwR1u
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) November 5, 2022
Indian netizens respond, “So sombre, just shows that human lives matter to people of Korea.”
Where is Itaewon?
Itaewon is a multi-cultural commercial area located in Seoul, South Korea. it is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Seoul, known for its nightlife and trendy restaurants.