South Korean President Yoon Suk-yol apologizes for Halloween crush, vows justice

The October 29 crush killed 156 folks, most of them of their twenties and thirties, and injured one other 197 as itawn’s fashionable nightlife district to have fun the primary COVID curb-free Halloween celebration in three years In the slender streets of the river, the revelers crammed water.

Yoon supplied an apology throughout a gathering to assessment security laws, because the nation continues to mourn crush victims. The response of the authorities to the accident is being investigated.

“I don’t dare to compare myself to parents who lost their sons and daughters, but as president who must protect people’s lives and safety, my heart is broken,” he mentioned.

“I apologize to the bereaved families who are suffering from an unspeakable tragedy, and to those who share the pain and sorrow.”

Police have confronted extreme public criticism and scrutiny in the course of the tragedy, with solely 137 officers despatched to the realm, regardless of beforehand estimating that greater than 100,000 folks would collect.

Last week, transcripts of a number of emergency calls made within the hours after the accident confirmed folks warning of a potential crush and urging intervention.

Yoon initially blamed the poor dealing with of the authorities for the loopholes within the nation’s crowd administration and security norms. After the decision transcript reported, nonetheless, he strongly reprimanded the police and apologized to the victims and a wider viewers.

At Monday’s safety assembly, he vowed to overtake the nationwide safety administration system, conduct a radical investigation and maintain these answerable for the failures.

“In particular, there is a need for comprehensive reform of police work, which is essential for threat preparedness to protect the safety of people and prevent accidents,” Yoon mentioned.