Ensuring Safety and Remembrance: Itaewon, Hongdae, and Gangnam Station Reborn

2023-10-27 13:05:00

[앵커]

hello.

‘I will go to Itaewon once more this year,’ said a disaster survivor who lost a friend in Itaewon.

There are many different ways to commemorate and remember.

Itaewon, Hongdae, and Gangnam Station are working to ensure that the site of the disaster is not buried in sadness and is reborn as a safe and enjoyable space.

All over the streets, people were carefully preparing for the event, and police were also on emergency duty.

First, let’s go to the streets of Hongdae in Seoul on a Friday night.

Reporter Hee-yeon Lee, it seems like there aren’t as many people as expected?

[기자]

Yes, the place I’m standing on is a pretty busy street in Hongdae.

This alley has been designated by the police as a ‘dangerous area’.

I’ve been out since 5pm, and as it gets darker, the number of people is slowly increasing.

However, nearby merchants said that there were fewer people than usual on Fridays, perhaps due to the impact of the disaster a year ago.

I listened to the stories of citizens who visited this place.

[임수빈/경기도 성남 : “아직 금요일이어서 홍대에 온 것 같고 만약 (핼러윈) 당일이었으면 자리를 피하지 않았을까.”]

[최준용/서울 용산구 : “어차피 사람들이 나가서 놀 거니까 어떻게 대비해야된다 이런 것만 강조해서 알려주면 좋을 것 같아요.”]

There is something that caught my eye on the streets of Hongdae today (the 27th), and it is a ‘density electronic display board’.

It was installed following the disaster last year, and when crowds gather, a warning screen appears and a siren sounds.

In addition, a 2km-long ‘Red Road’ painted with ‘anti-slip’ paint has been created on a road where many people walk.

[앵커]

Are you curious regarding how the citizens are taking care of their safety?

[기자]

He looks very nervous.

A little while ago, at 8 p.m., the Mapo-gu mayor, police chief, and fire chief went on foot patrol in the Hongdae area.

In Gangnam, there are also foot patrols starting at 6 p.m.

The police predict that this year, crowds will flock to Hongdae and Gangnam rather than Itaewon.

The plan is to deploy regarding 1,200 police officers to three regions today and tomorrow (the 28th).

16 alleys with narrow stairs or narrow widths have been designated as ‘dangerous alleys’.

[앵커]

Did the police take advance measures this time?

[기자]

First of all, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency held a general Halloween response meeting yesterday (26th).

Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun was the subject of controversy over omission of reporting and evasion of responsibility on the day of the Itaewon disaster following a KBS report the day before yesterday (25th).

Today, I quietly toured the Hongdae area with executives.

It was kept secret from the press, but photos and videos were later provided.

The Itaewon Disaster Victims’ Families Council and the Citizens’ Countermeasures Council issued a statement today, urging Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun to be investigated on charges of negligence and dereliction of duty following being revealed to have neglected his duties as a general commanding officer.

This is Lee Hee-yeon of KBS News in front of Hongik University in Seoul.

Camera reporter: Moon Ami Kim Hyeong-jun / Video editor: Lee Jae-yeon

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