Itaewon Crowd Crush Survivor, Who Died by Suicide, Named Disaster Victim
Quick Look
A former store owner in Itaewon, who died by suicide after experiencing trauma from helping victims of the 2022 crowd crush, has been officially recognized as a victim of the disaster by the South Korean government.
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Why It Matters
A former store owner in Itaewon, identified as Park, who helped victims during the 2022 crowd crush, suffered from trauma and died by suicide in April 2025 at age 37. The government has now named him a victim of the disaster.
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- The former owner of a store in Itaewon who killed self after suffering from a traumatizing experience of helping others killed in the 2022 crowd crush in the Seoul district was Friday named a victim of the disaster, the government said.
The deceased, identified only as Park, operated a bar near the site of the accident that left 159 people killed, according to the interior ministry.
Park helped transport injured people to hospitals at the time of the disaster, but had since suffered from physical and psychological trauma before being found dead at the age of 37 in April 2025.
"The government will continue to make sure all necessary support is provided to the victims and their bereaved families while protecting their honor and privacy," a ministry official said.
Open Questions
- What specific support will be provided to the bereaved family?
- Were there prior indications of severe psychological distress before his death?
