Families of those killed in Itaewon to receive 20 million won

Families of people killed in the Itaewon tragedy will receive 20 million won ($14,000) from the government. They will receive up to 15 million won for funeral expenses. The announcement was made during a briefing on the Itaewon disaster at the...

Kim Sung-ho, far right, vice minister for Disaster and Safety Management of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, speaks during a briefing at the Sejong government complex on Monday. [NEWS1]

Families of people killed in the Itaewon tragedy will receive 20 million won ($14,000) from the government.

They will receive up to 15 million won for funeral expenses.

The announcement was made during a briefing on the Itaewon disaster at the Sejong government complex on Monday by Kim Sung-ho, vice minister for Disaster and Safety Management of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Up to 15 million won will be offered for funeral expenses, and transportation costs will also be covered for those whose bodies were moved from hospitals to funeral parlors close to the deceased’s homes.

Relief money will be paid to the families of the deceased, while survivors of the crowd crush will be paid between 5 million to 10 million won depending on the degree of their injuries.

In addition to relief money and funeral expenses, necessary support for families through one-on-one matching between the families and local government officials will be also provided. Officials will be dispatched to 32 funeral parlors across the country to help facilitate funerals.

Psychological treatment for survivors and family members will be provided, as well as support for foreigners who were injured and those who were hurt during relief activities.

Telecommunication charges and taxes will be reduced or deferred for the families and the injured along with relief funds.

Joint memorial services will be held in 17 cities and provinces nationwide, with mourners received starting Nov. 5.

BY LEE HAY-JUNE [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]