ANSEONG — The city of Anseong said on the 22nd that it has set up and is operating a joint memorial altar to honor the victims of a vehicle crash at the "Sharing Green Market."
The city installed the altar at Naehyehol Plaza the previous day and will operate it for three days through the 23rd. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
According to Anseong, mourners have been streaming into the altar to pay their respects to the victims. Acquaintances and friends of the deceased, local residents and visitors from other regions have laid chrysanthemums and observed moments of silence.
"I can't believe that people who came out to volunteer with good intentions met with this accident," one mourner said. "I hope the deceased rest in peace, and that a tragedy like this is never repeated."
The city has assigned public officials to the site to guide mourners and support the altar's operation. It is also displaying memorial messages on electronic signboards across the city to share its condolences with the community. Various events are being kept to a minimum to maintain a subdued atmosphere of mourning.
"I offer my deepest condolences to the deceased," Anseong Mayor Kim Bo-ra said. "I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families, who have been plunged into deep grief by this sudden tragedy."
"I pray for the swift recovery of those injured," the mayor added. "We will carefully handle the aftermath and follow-up measures, and thoroughly review our safety management system so that the same thing does not happen again."
