The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on the 14th it will hold a memorial service for the third anniversary of the July 15 Osong underpass disaster on the 15th at the main conference room of the North Chungcheong Provincial Government building with North Chungcheong Province, Cheongju, the council of bereaved families and survivors, and civic groups.
This is the first time the central and local governments are co-hosting the memorial with the council of bereaved families and survivors and civic groups. Until now, the council of bereaved families and survivors and civic groups have led the memorial events.
About 200 people are expected to attend, including bereaved families and survivors, civic groups, lawmakers, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), North Chungcheong Province, Cheongju, and officials from related agencies and provincial residents.
The memorial will be held under the theme "Three years since the Osong disaster, from remembrance and mourning to a safer tomorrow." It aims to commemorate the victims of the Osong underpass disaster and comfort the bereaved families and survivors, while conveying the state's commitment to remember the pain of the disaster together and build a society that puts the people's lives and safety first.
Before the main event, attendees will visit the citizens' incense altar set up at Cheongju City Hall's temporary building to offer incense in remembrance of the victims.
The main event will include an opening and moment of silence, the president's memorial message read on behalf, a memorial video, memorial remarks, and a memorial performance.
The Osong underpass disaster occurred on July 2023 due to the collapse of the Mihocheon River embankment and flooding caused by heavy rain. Fourteen people were killed and 16 were injured in the accident.
Minister Yoon Ho-jung of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) said, "The Osong underpass disaster is a painful memory that our society must never forget," adding, "The true reason we gather in this place of remembrance today—and the most sincere promise to those who left before us—is to build a safe Korea where innocent people are never taken in vain again."
He added, "We deeply empathize with the pain of the victims, those harmed, and the bereaved families, and will do our utmost to build a country where everyone can set out on the road with more peace of mind tomorrow than today."