Catholic Priests for Justice Commemorate Itaewon Tragedy on 3rd Anniversary

Catholic Priests for Justice Commemorates Itaewon Tragedy's 3rd Anniversary with Memorial Mass

On October 27, 2025, the National Catholic Priests for Justice held a '3rd Anniversary Memorial Mass for the 10/29 Itaewon Tragedy' at Itaewon Square in Seoul, honoring the memory of the victims. The mass was attended by an estimated 350 to 400 people, including priests, religious figures, believers, citizens, and, notably, the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster victims, who came together to share their grief and commemorate the deceased. The service proceeded in a solemn and mournful atmosphere, with attendees paying their respects to the victims in their own ways. The National Catholic Priests for Justice emphasized through this memorial mass the importance of remembering the pain of the Itaewon tragedy, recalling its social significance, and inspecting and improving our society's safety systems to prevent such tragedies from happening again. In particular, they stressed the importance of comforting the bereaved families and listening to their voices, as well as the urgency of identifying those responsible through a thorough investigation and establishing measures to prevent recurrence. This memorial mass is regarded not merely as a religious event but as a venue for social mourning and an occasion to pledge towards a safer society. During the mass, 159 candles were lit to commemorate the souls of the 159 victims of the Itaewon disaster. The candles symbolized hope in the darkness, carrying the meaning of comforting the spirits of the deceased and conveying courage to the bereaved families. The 159 candles seemed to unite the hearts of all those who attended the mass, visually expressing their deep sorrow for the victims. As the candles were lit, mass attendees silently mourned the victims in their own way, renewing their commitment to improving our society's safety systems to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The candles also conveyed a message of hope to the bereaved families, encouraging them to overcome their grief and move forward. In this way, the 159 candles served as an important symbol of the 3rd Anniversary Memorial Mass for the Itaewon Tragedy and are expected to remain in the memories of the attendees for a long time. The National Catholic Priests for Justice aimed to remember the victims and console the bereaved families through the lighting of candles, while also raising safety awareness throughout society. After the mass, participants continued their march in silence to the site of the tragedy in front of Exit 4 of Itaewon Station. The procession was a time to commemorate the victims, stand in solidarity with the bereaved families, and share the pain of the Itaewon tragedy. The participants walked in silence, honoring the spirits of the deceased and conveying their condolences and support to the bereaved families. The site of the tragedy in front of Exit 4 of Itaewon Station remained a place of sorrow and pain, where participants offered prayers of solace, wishing for the repose of the victims. The prayer of solace is a traditional Catholic prayer, carrying the meaning of comforting the souls of the dead and praying for their peace. Through the prayer of solace, participants earnestly prayed that the victims would enjoy eternal rest in the arms of God. Furthermore, they pledged to improve our society's safety systems to prevent such tragedies from recurring and to do their best to heal the pain of the bereaved families. The procession and prayer of solace were an important part of the 3rd Anniversary Memorial Mass for the Itaewon Tragedy, a time to remember the victims and reaffirm the meaning of standing in solidarity with the bereaved families. The memorial mass was officiated by Father Choi Jae-cheol, who meticulously called out the names of each of the 159 victims during the service. Father Choi Jae-cheol's action went beyond a mere ritualistic act, carrying the meaning of remembering the victims as individual beings and honoring their lives. During the recitation of the names, the bereaved families who attended the mass could not hide their tears and grief. Father Choi Jae-cheol empathized with the pain of the bereaved families, offering them words of comfort and encouragement. He also emphasized that the Itaewon tragedy was not a simple accident but a tragedy caused by the absence of our society's safety systems and the evasion of responsibility, urging a thorough investigation and the punishment of those responsible. Father Choi Jae-cheol's officiating deeply moved and resonated with all those who attended the mass, reaffirming their determination not to forget the pain of the Itaewon tragedy and to create a safer society. His sincere commemoration was a precious time to comfort the souls of the victims and give courage to the bereaved families. Father Ha Chun-soo, through his sermon, revisited the tragedy of the Itaewon disaster, criticizing that the state failed to fulfill its basic duty to protect its citizens on October 29, 2022, resulting in the sacrifice of 159 precious lives. Father Ha Chun-soo emphasized that the state should prioritize the safety of its citizens and thoroughly establish disaster prevention and response systems. He also pointed out that the truth about the Itaewon tragedy had not been properly investigated and that the punishment of those responsible was inadequate, holding the government and relevant authorities accountable. Father Ha Chun-soo emphasized through his sermon that the Itaewon tragedy was not a simple accident but an event that revealed the problems of society as a whole, urging our society to move away from safety negligence and towards a society that values safety. His sermon deeply resonated with all those who attended the mass, reaffirming their determination not to forget the pain of the Itaewon tragedy and to create a safer society. Father Ha Chun-soo's critical perspective played an important role in exposing social problems and urging improvement. Kim Nam-hee, as a representative of the bereaved families, took to the podium to earnestly implore the public to continue to pay attention and watch until the truth about the Itaewon tragedy is revealed. Kim Nam-hee spoke about the pain and grief that the bereaved families are experiencing, emphasizing that identifying those responsible through a thorough investigation and establishing measures to prevent recurrence is the most important way to honor the spirits of the victims. She also urged the government and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and requested that they listen to the voices of the bereaved families. Kim Nam-hee's appeal moved the hearts of all those who attended the mass, contributing to raising social awareness of the investigation into the Itaewon tragedy. Her courageous speech was an important opportunity to represent the pain of the bereaved families and to call for efforts to realize justice in society. Kim Nam-hee, as a representative of the bereaved families, gave many people inspiration and courage through her efforts to overcome grief and reveal the truth. The President of South Korea, Lee Jae-myung, should also heed the voices of these people.