[Updated at 5:36 p.m.]
[Suwan News = Yoon Byung-ik, Citizen Reporter] Led by the civic group Candlelight Action and attended by civic activists and religious leaders, a candlelight vigil was held in Seoul last Friday to honor the 153 victims of the stampede in Itaewon and to hold the current administration accountable.
Citizens who participated in the rally that day held signs reading "People are dying—is this even a country?" and "Resignation is the true way to honor the dead," along with candles.
According to a CNN report, 100,000 people participated in the rally that day. However, as of 7:30 p.m. that day, the organizers’ estimate was 60,000, which appears to have been lowered to reflect the somber atmosphere of the memorial. In contrast, police initially estimated 7,000 attendees but later revised the figure to 18,000.
Civil society groups, the police, and the media are having difficulty estimating the number of participants in this rally.
In an interview with a reporter, one citizen said, "I think the government's response to this accident (tragedy) has been inadequate and complacent," adding, "The president is currently only offering perfunctory condolences and has not made a sincere apology."
Some citizens became somewhat agitated, making gestures and hurling insults that appeared to be directed at officials of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. In addition, a commotion broke out among reporters covering the event because the rally podium was out of sight.
Meanwhile, candlelight vigils are expected to continue in Seoul and Busan on the 12th.
Yoon Byung-ik, Citizen Reporter; Kim Dong-ju, Reporter
