Commemoration Takes Precedence Over Celebration in Itaewon on Halloween
As the streets of Itaewon remain a place of remembrance rather than a holiday destination, the police and local governments are working together to control the crowds. While Hongdae Street and Gangnam Station in Seoul saw normal levels of activity, the atmosphere in Itaewon is subdued, reflecting the lingering shock of the disaster that occurred a year ago.
A Somber Atmosphere in Itaewon
Once considered a ‘sacred place’ for Halloween festivities, this year Itaewon presents a stark contrast. Costume-clad individuals are few and far between, and Halloween decorations are noticeably scarce. Instead, a large electronic display board on one of the buildings bears a message of condolences to the victims and their families, while mourners can be seen paying their respects in the nearby lane where the tragedy unfolded. Police officers and district officials are stationed throughout the area, ensuring the safety of all and prepared for any security incidents.
A Quieter Halloween in Hongdae
In comparison, Hongdae Street in Seoul saw an estimated 80,000 visitors in the evening, yet it did not reach the usual level of bustling activity. There were predictions that people would choose Hongdae over Itaewon for Halloween celebrations this year. Despite it being a Friday night, the festive atmosphere was noticeably absent.
Government’s Efforts to Control Crowds
However, mindful of the unpredictable nature of large gatherings and potential accidents, the government has mobilized various agencies, including the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the police, local governments, and fire departments, to ensure crowd control. Itaewon, Hongdae, Myeong-dong in Seoul, and Dongseong-ro in Daegu are the key areas of focus, with approximately 2,800 personnel deployed for five days in Hongdae alone. The joint patrol team has been diligently clearing pedestrian obstacles and addressing illegally parked vehicles, all with the aim of maintaining safety.
Lessons Learned from the Itaewon Disaster
The tragedy in Itaewon occurred amidst the negligence of treating the event as an organizer-less festival. As the shock continues to reverberate, it serves as a stark reminder that safety management should not be overlooked. There is a collective responsibility to prevent such accidents.
This article was written by Taewon Kim, a reporter for YTN, with contributions from camera reporter Ko Min-cheol.
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Itaewon, the ‘sacred place’ of Halloween, is a place of commemoration rather than a holiday
The police and local governments are controlling crowds on lanes to Itaewon
“80,000 people visited Hongdae Street… similar to the normal level”
[앵커]
Yesterday evening (the 27th), the Friday before Halloween, a quiet atmosphere of remembrance continues on the streets of Itaewon, where the shock of the disaster a year ago has not subsided yet.
While the government began intensive crowd control early on, the streets of Hongdae and Gangnam Station in Seoul remained at their normal weekend levels.
This is reporter Taewon Kim.
[기자]
World Culture Food Street Itaewon.
It used to be like a ‘holy ground’ for the Halloween festival, but this year the atmosphere is quite different.
It’s hard to see people wearing costumes, and even Halloween decorations are hard to come by.
Instead, a message of condolences to the victims of the disaster and their bereaved families was displayed on the building’s large electronic display board.
Mourners could also be seen in the lane where the disaster happened.
In a calm atmosphere, police officers and district office officers guarded every corner of the lane, preparing for any possible security incident.
[최다윗 / 이태원 거리 방문 : 경찰관분들이나 소방관분들이나 소방차도 많이 배치돼 있더라고요. 보면서 되게 ‘신경을 쓰고 계시구나. 안전하구나.’ 느끼고 있었습니다.]
About 80,000 people were said to have visited the streets of Hongdae in Seoul in the evening, but it was not as crowded as usual.
There was also a prediction that people would flock to Hongdae instead of Itaewon for Halloween this year.
Even though it was Friday night, it was hard to feel the atmosphere of a special Halloween festival.
However, as it is not known when crowds of people will gather and accidents will occur, the government mobilized all relevant personnel, including the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the police, local governments, and fire departments, to control the crowds.
Itaewon, Hongdae, Myeong-dong in Seoul, and Dongseong-ro in Daegu are the focus of management, and around 2,800 people a year will be used for five days in Hongdae alone.
[박강수 / 서울 마포구청장 : 안전은 과잉이 되더라도 철저하게 준비하는 것이 사고를 예방할 수 있기 때문에….]
A joint patrol team cleared pedestrian obstacles such as shared kickboards, bicycles, and signs erected throughout the streets.
We also tackled illegally parked vehicles occupying boards on the street or on the side of the road.
[정형은 / 서울 마포경찰서 경비과장 : 인파가 많이 몰릴 시간대가 돼서 (테이블을) 치워달라고 저희가 행정 지도를 한 상태입니다.]
In front of club street, where people began to gather as night fell, police officers were controlling vehicles and widening pedestrian paths to prepare for crowded situations.
[전동의 / 경기 수원시 : 사실 평소보다 조금 더 불편하긴 한데…. 저번과 같은 참사는 예방할 수 있겠다는 생각을 하고 있어요.]
The Itaewon disaster happened while everyone was ignoring the event, saying it was a festival without an organizer.
While the shock of the disaster continues, an overdue lesson remains that there is no separate responsibility for managing safety.
This is Taewon Kim from YTN.
Camera reporter; Ko Min-cheol
YTN Taewon Kim (yusin@ytn.co.kr)
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