Application period for Itaewon crowd crush victim recognition, recovery leave extended by one year

The application period for victim recognition and recovery leave under the Oct. 29 Itaewon crowd crush special act will be extended by one year, strengthening protections for those affected.

The Ministry of Interior and Safety said the cabinet approved an amendment to the Special Act on Guarantee of Rights of Victims of the Oct. 29 Itaewon Crowd Crush, Truth-Finding and Prevention of Recurrence on Tuesday. The amended act will be promulgated and take effect Sept. 15.

The revision comes as the Special Investigation Committee for Truth-Finding and Prevention of Recurrence of the Oct. 29 Itaewon Crowd Crush nears the end of its mandate Wednesday. The amendment extends the committee's term by one year to allow for a thorough investigation.

With the committee's operating period extended, the relief period for Itaewon crowd crush victims will be extended at the same time.

The application period for victim recognition will be extended by one year. Those seeking to have their damages from the crowd crush officially recognized may submit a written application for victim status and support payments to the Oct. 29 Itaewon Crowd Crush Victim Relief Deliberation Committee until March 16, 2028.

The deadline to apply for recovery leave — which helps recognized victims return to health — will also be extended by one year. Workers seeking leave to recover from physical or psychological harm caused by the crowd crush may apply to their employers until Sept. 16, 2028.

"I hope this amendment to the special act will sustain efforts to thoroughly uncover the truth behind the Oct. 29 Itaewon crowd crush and provide meaningful help to victims and bereaved families as they rebuild their daily lives," Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung said. "We will work more proactively to spread awareness so that no one suffering economic hardship or psychological trauma from the disaster misses out on support simply because they were unaware of what is available."