"When I look at the young people, I see our children. I hope they can eat a hearty, home-cooked meal made by mothers."

On the morning of the 16th, at "House of Stars," the memorial and communication space for the Itaewon disaster located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, about 10 bereaved family members wearing purple T-shirts and aprons were busy shaping rice balls. Since the previous morning, they had personally shopped for ingredients like anchovies, beef, and imitation crab meat, seasoning them by hand to stuff inside the rice. They prepared 150 portions of rice balls accompanied by fruit. Instead of using each other's names, they called out the names of their departed children followed by "Mother" or "Father."

The 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association and the Citizens' Countermeasure Committee have been hosting the "Purple Dining Table" event for three years running. It is a gathering designed to express gratitude to the young people who are the peers of the children lost in the disaster and who have stood in solidarity with the fight to uncover the truth.

Park Young-soo, mother of the late Lee Nam-hoon, shared, "For about two years after sending my child away, I was so overwhelmed I didn't even have the leeway to look around me. Back then, seeing peers just made my chest hurt and filled me with sorrow." She added, "Starting this dining table event has slowly eased those feelings. Though it’s only once a year, I am grateful for the chance to repay the young people who remember the Itaewon disaster."

As the clock struck 12:00 PM, young people began gathering at the House of Stars one by one. Accepting the rice balls, they exchanged warm greetings with the bereaved families. Kim Su-hwan (25, male), who traveled from Jeonnam-Gwangju, said, "When the cold wind blows, the Itaewon disaster comes to mind." Kim added, "I came with the heart of a child visiting their parents for the holidays. At a time when nothing has been neatly resolved even after four years, I hope our presence by their side brings strength to the bereaved families."

Noh Seo-young, who has stayed by the side of the bereaved families since the early days of the disaster, also participated in the event. Noh noted, "As a generation that lived through the Sewol ferry disaster, I felt a deep sense of despair knowing that peer youth who lived ordinary lives like me were swept away all at once. Even so, seeing the bereaved families trying to gather strength made me want to fight alongside them so that no lingering grievances would remain."

Despite citizens' solidarity, uncovering the truth has hardly gained momentum. The anxiety and frustration of the bereaved families remain an ongoing reality.

Lee Sung-ki, father of the late Lee Dong-min, expressed, "Because uncovering the truth keeps stalling, it's so suffocating. I've been exhausted for four years. I can't sleep well and keep waking up." Lee said, "When I'm alone, it feels like strange noises keep echoing, and it's tough. Coming to the House of Stars and talking with other family members seems to ease it a bit." He continues to hold a solo protest every day in front of the Presidential Office urging truth-finding.

Following the Itaewon Disaster Truth-Finding Act, the "10.29 Itaewon Disaster Special Investigation Commission (Special Investigation Commission)" was launched in September 2024. However, bereaved families criticized the commission for failing to guarantee their right to know, such as issuing non-disclosure rulings for most public information requests concerning the victims. Last August, they even filed criminal charges against Special Investigation Commission Chairperson Song Doo-hwan and Administrative Office Director Park Jin on charges including abuse of authority and obstruction of rights. In effect, the bereaved families are now clashing with the very body created to find the truth. The investigation period of the commission has been extended until September 16, 2027, through a legal amendment.

Kang Sun-yi, mother of the late Lee Sang-eun, stated, "I think we placed too much hope in the Special Investigation Commission. Once we realized it was just a temporary public servant organization, we started studying how to uncover the truth ourselves." Kang added, "As time passes, evidence disappears and the statute of limitations runs out. We keep steeling our hearts, telling ourselves the families must not grow weary and must see this through."

Lee Jung-min, steering committee chairperson of the Bereaved Families Association, pointed out, "Over the past year, the Special Investigation Commission has caused so much disappointment that it led to criminal charges. The commission must acutely feel this responsibility and do its utmost to clear away the distrust of the bereaved families." He further demanded, "During the extended investigation period, thoroughly investigate to resolve suspicions. Fulfill the purpose of establishing a truth-finding body by answering the questions the bereaved families need to know."

Chairperson Lee also requested, "We cannot remember the Itaewon disaster 365 days a year, but I hope people will remember it at least for the month of October. Please ponder together why the disaster happened and what our society must do for safety."

The 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association and the Citizens' Countermeasure Committee designated October as the "Month of Remembrance and Mourning" on the 1st. On the 29th, the 4th-anniversary memorial ceremony will be solemnly held at the Gwanghwamun Northern Plaza.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]