South Korea’s President Vows Justice, Police Reforms Over Halloween Crush Tragedy

South Korea's President Yoon Suk-Yeol in Madrid, on June 29, 2022. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

South Korea’s president apologized on Monday for the Halloween crowd surge that led to 156 deaths, pledging to hold to account officials who failed to respond to the incident and make police reform.

President Yoon Suk-yeol called for “an overall institutional review” of police services related to risk management and accident prevention, as well as a thorough investigation into the Oct. 29 tragedy that happened in Seoul’s district of Itaewon.

“It does not compare to the feelings of the parents who lost their sons and daughters, but as a president who has to protect the lives and safety of the people, my heart is heavy and heartbreaking,” Yoon said at the National Safety System Inspection Meeting.

“I am sorry and apologetic to the bereaved families who are facing a tragedy that cannot be expressed in words and to the people who share the pain and sorrow,” the president added.

Yoon promised to make the entire investigation process transparent to the public and ensure that any contributors to the tragedy take responsibility depending on the outcome of the probe.

Onlookers, police and paramedics gather where dozens of people suffered cardiac arrest, in the popular nightlife district of Itaewon in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2022. Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images

The tragedy, which left at least 156 people dead and hundreds of others injured, was concentrated in a narrow downhill alley in Itaewon, where about 100,000 people had gathered for Halloween festivities.

Witnesses described people falling on one another, suffering severe breathing difficulties, and falling unconscious. Most of the victims were teenagers and young adults.

Police Accused of Negligence

Police have faced criticism for their response during the tragedy after a transcript of emergency calls received by police on Oct. 29 revealed that citizens had notified them of the risk of a crowd crush in Itaewon, but there was no prompt response.

Police said they had sent 137 officers to maintain order during the Halloween festivities, but observers questioned whether they were enough to handle the estimated 100,00 people gathered in Itaewon.

Yoon has called for sweeping police reform to improve safety management and prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

“No matter how state-of-the-art systems and complete manuals are prepared, if a crisis situation is not properly recognized and quickly communicated and shared, necessary measures cannot be implemented in a timely manner, and this tragedy is bound to repeat itself,” he said.

“A major innovation is needed in police work, which prepares for danger and prevent accidents in order to protect the safety of the people,” he added.

Four officials from Yongsan district police station and fire department have been booked for investigation, including police chief Lee Im-jae—whose duties have been suspended due to the incident—for alleged negligence in the tragedy.

The investigation team has seized 7,134 documents and digital data related to the incident, as well as 157 video clips for analysis, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.