[PHOTOS] 4 years on: The enduring grief of Itaewon's bereaved families

Four years have passed since the catastrophic crowd disaster at Itaewon, Seoul, which claimed over 150 lives. Families of the bereaved continue to grapple with profound grief, as evidenced by the poignant scenes at Gwanghwamun Plaza on Thursday, marking the somber occasion.

A bereaved woman, visibly moved, wiped away tears while attending a memorial ceremony at Gwanghwamun Plaza, Seoul. Pascal Genego, a French national who lost his son in the disaster, addressed the gathering, his voice likely heavy with sorrow. The First Lady of South Korea, Kim Hea Kyung, stood alongside President Lee Jae Myung, their faces contorted with emotion as they watched a memorial video during the ceremony.

In the days following the tragedy, Yongsan District office employees worked tirelessly to maintain the October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood, a stark reminder of the lives lost. Passersby paused, respectfully remembering the victims at the disaster site, four years after the calamitous event. The enduring grief of Itaewon's bereaved families is a testament to the lasting impact of the disaster, a poignant chapter in Seoul's recent history.