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News summary on the way home from work, Subsletter Evening.
It has turned into a memorial space at Itaewon Station on the Seoul subway, and as the memorial procession continues, chrysanthemum flowers are piling up, and Post-it notes with condolences are overflowing and fluttering.
Among the commemorative writings, there were many writings of survivors who survived the disaster, and the content breaks the hearts of those who see it.
It is because I feel the guilt of 'I lived alone'.
I went to Itaewon Station for lunch.
"I'm sorry" "I'm sorry"... self-condemned survivor
In the remembrance space, there were many messages of condolences from the survivors of the disaster.
You can feel the guilt of the survivors in the handwriting that was written out one by one, and there are contents in which they suffer as they say, "I'm sorry," and "I'm sorry," saying, 'I was the only one who survived the scene.'
In the message, "I'm sorry that I just thought of getting out of the scene right away in a situation where I needed help. I'm sorry that I couldn't listen to the loud music and jump in to help the situation. I won't forget that day. There is also a commemorative post saying, “I wish you good rest,” and confesses that he was unable to help those in need, conveying the situation that was noisy with the sound of music.
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There are more articles mourning the victims while blaming themselves for 'not being able to help on the spot' like this. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you even though I'm a few steps ahead. I have many more days to live and I'm sorry I couldn't help you." "In heaven, please stop worrying about your family and friends Don't worry, I'll pray for you to be comfortable."
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If you look at the commemorative writings left by the survivors at the site of the disaster, they are complaining about their mixed fate in the same space.
You can read the guilt of 'I was the only survivor' or 'I couldn't help the victim'.
Even in a short text, such feelings are conveyed intact.
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"It's not your fault"
There were also many messages that it was not the victims' fault.
There is also a commemorative post saying, "I'm sorry. It's not everyone's fault. Please fulfill your unfulfilled dreams there." There is also a post saying, "You guys did nothing wrong. You've worked hard. Rest in peace."
The question 'why did you go there' could not be set in the memorial space.
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“In the middle of Seoul, people collapsed and there was a chaos, and in an emergency situation, the scene was broadcast on social media just for fun without any sense of ethics or respect. there is also
It is an article to mourn the victims while criticizing the phenomenon of indiscriminate distribution of scene videos.
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There was also an article criticizing the government, saying, "So many people have died, but no one is taking responsibility yet. Why is there a state and why is there a government? They die at home and at work, and now even the streets of festivals are not safe. Your fault. This is not the case," the post stings the government officials' evasion of responsibility.
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"We offer 154 chrysanthemums"
Post-it notes with condolences are lined up in the memorial space, and the chrysanthemum flowers are piling up to the extent that they occupy India.
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Some mourners offered flowers with their own meaning, saying, "I express my condolences with the first flowers I received."
Some mourners offered chrysanthemum flowers according to the number of victims. When I read the phrase, "I am heartbroken at the unfortunate accident that happened to the innocent and passionate young people who came to this street to do what they could at their age. There are no more victims. I hope not to, and I will give 154 chrysanthemum flowers."
The wreath seems to have been made after the 154 victims were announced.
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In this way, the words of mourning had one heart of mourning.
Itaewon Station, where young people left, is full of mourning hearts.
full.
Citizens folded their collars and bowed their heads to express their condolences.
There were many mourners weeping.
The Minister of Public Administration and Security and the Mayor of Seoul all apologized
Is it because there is a tribute procession all over the country?
Three days after the disaster, the government acknowledged that the precautionary measures to prevent the accident were insufficient and made an official apology.
The Minister of Public Administration and Security, the Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and the Commissioner of the Fire Department all bowed their heads, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also apologized to the public.
Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who stood at the center of the most controversy, appeared at the National Assembly and said, "As the minister in charge responsible for public safety for this accident, even though the state has an unlimited responsibility for the safety of the people, I express my sincere apologies to the people. I'll give it to you." He bowed his head.
At a briefing on the 30th, he also expressed regret for causing controversy by saying, 'It was not a problem that could be solved by arranging the police and firefighters in advance' and 'it was not that there were more people than usual'.
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Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun of the National Police Agency also apologized, "I pray for the recovery of those who died in this accident and express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families." .
He also acknowledged the lack of response from the police.
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Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon apologized, saying, "As the mayor of Seoul who is responsible for the life and safety of citizens, I feel an infinite sense of responsibility. I offer my deepest apologies.
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It seems that the government and Mayor Oh Se-hoon simultaneously made an apology to the public, deciding that it would be helpful to rectify the situation by acknowledging the mistake and making an apology.
However, regarding his controversial remarks, Minister Lee Sang-min said, "The purpose of the police investigation was to refrain from hasty speculations or predictions until the results were announced."
This is because it can be viewed as a consistent appearance as a disease, or it can be taken as a treatment that looks down on the people.
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This is a photo of the Itaewon Disaster Lost and Found Center at the Yongsan Multipurpose Indoor Gymnasium in Seoul.
A family that appears to be a survivor is looking for the victim's belongings.
(Photo = Yonhap News)