May 16, 2023 marked the 200th day anniversary of the 10.29 Itaewon crowd crush tragedy that took over a hundred and fifty lives, with most victims being in their 20s and 30s. The “Korea University (KU), Dongduk Women’s University and Sungshin Women’s University Itaewon Tragedy Meeting with Bereaved Families” was held May 18, 2023 in the Life Library in the Student Union Building at KU. Two bereaved family members came on the panel to discuss the aftermath of the disaster, assert the need for the truth of the tragedy and an Itaewon special act, and ways that Korean society can remember the tragedy.

The representative of the Council of Bereaved Families of 10.29 Itaewon Tragedy, Lee Jung Min, commented that he had strongly requested to speak with college students, as he believes that young people are the ones who can change the future. Choi, member of the council and aunt of a victim, also shared the sentiment that Korea must become a safer place.

A member of the planning unit, Kim Gyu Ri (’19, Russian Language and Literature) said, “If we continue to hold conversations with as many people as possible so that the Itaewon tragedy is not forgotten, I believe that we will be able to remember social disasters with empathy and solidarity and move toward a society where [such tragedies] are never repeated.”