South Korea: Yoon apologizes for Halloween crowd crush, pledges to hold officials responsible accountable

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol apologized for the tragic Halloween crowd crush that happened in Itaewon the previous weekend. Yoon also pledged to hold accountable officials who are found to be responsible for the inadequate responses to the incident.

In a meeting to review safety rules Monday, Yoon apologized for the crowd crush on October 29. 156 people were killed in the crowd crush, mostly people in their teens and 20s, and 197 others were injured when the crowds surged through a narrow alleyway in the Itaewon district to celebrate Halloween. Yoon declared a national mourning period for the victims, and an investigation is already underway.

“I do not dare to compare myself to the parents who lost their sons and daughters, but as the president who ought to protect the people’s lives and safety, I am heartbroken,” said Yoon. “I am sorry and apologetic to the bereaved families who are suffering an unspeakable tragedy, and to the people who share the pain and sorrow.”

Following the incident, the police have come under heavy scrutiny for their response during the tragedy. At the time, only 137 police officers were dispatched to the scene despite having already estimated around 100,000 people would be gathering in Itaewon.

Last week, transcripts were released showing the emergency calls that were made hours and minutes before the accident, showing people already warning of a potential crowd crush and urging the police to intervene.

Yoon initially attributed the responses by the police to flaws in the country’s crowd management and safety regulations. Yoon later backtracked and apologized once the transcripts were published, criticizing the police as well.

Tuesday last week, South Korean National Police Agency chief Yoon Hee-keun also issued an apology and pledged to investigate. Yoon confirmed during a news conference the multiple emergency calls that were made, yet the response to the emergency calls was inadequate. While authorities in South Korea are known for managing large political rallies, during the festivities in Itaewon, there was no central entity.

Business owners in the district have said that they met with local police ahead of the festivities, but the officers were mainly focused on curbing drug and sexual abuse and other crimes while curbing the spread of COVID-19.