Itaewon crowd crush death toll rises to 160 as rescue volunteer recognized as victim

Bar owner Baek found dead in April; government officially designates him a victim of the Oct. 29 disaster

Song Du-hwan, chairman of the Special Investigation Commission for Truth-Finding and Prevention of Recurrence of the Oct. 29 Itaewon Crowd Crush, observes a moment of silence June 23 at the Oct. 29 Memorial and Safety Path in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap]

A local bar owner identified only by his surname Baek, who participated in rescue efforts during the Oct. 29, 2022, Itaewon crowd crush and later died after suffering trauma, has been officially recognized as a victim of the disaster.

The designation raises the official death toll from the Itaewon crowd crush from 159 to 160.

A hearing of the Special Investigation Commission for Truth-Finding and Prevention of Recurrence of the Oct. 29 Itaewon Crowd Crush is held at the Korea Federation of Banks building in Jung-gu, Seoul, on March 12. The hearing aimed to identify the causes of failures in prevention and preparedness by police, fire departments and other relevant agencies before the disaster, as well as problems in the response and recovery process afterward, and to determine accountability. [Joint press corps/Yonhap]

The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced Friday that it had officially designated the late Baek — a local merchant already recognized as a victim during his lifetime for his role in rescue efforts at the time of the disaster — as a "victim" under the Special Act on Guarantee of Rights of Victims, Truth-Finding and Prevention of Recurrence of the Oct. 29 Itaewon Crowd Crush.

Baek operated a bar near the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon when the crowd crush struck on Oct. 29, 2022. He rushed to help, carrying injured people to safety and assisting in emergency rescue efforts. He subsequently suffered ongoing psychological and emotional distress. He left home on May 20 and lost contact with his family. His body was found about 10 days later in the Wangbangsan area of Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Police found no signs of criminal conduct and investigated the exact circumstances of his death.

The ministry said experts and relevant agencies had collectively determined that the psychological and emotional trauma Baek experienced was linked to the Itaewon crowd crush, leading to his final designation as a victim.

Under the special act, victims of the Itaewon crowd crush include not only those who died at the scene but also those who died as a result of physical or psychological harm caused by the disaster. The category of affected persons covers those who participated in emergency rescue and recovery efforts at the time, as well as those who operated businesses or worked in the surrounding area.

As a result of the designation, Baek's bereaved family will receive support under the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety and the special act on the Itaewon crowd crush.

"We will continue to do our utmost to protect the honor and privacy of victims and their families while ensuring that all necessary support is provided without disruption in accordance with relevant laws," the ministry said.

jshan@heraldcorp.com