The Halloween Tragedy in Seoul’s Itaewon District

Holidays are always a cause for celebration and partying amongst young people, especially since the lightening of COVID-19 restrictions, and Halloween was no exception this year. In cities across the world, costumed teens and young adults gathered at clubs and bars to celebrate the holiday. In South Korea, where COVID restrictions had only recently been lifted, a record number of people traveled to Itaewon, a center for nightlife in Seoul, for the popular Halloween celebration. Unfortunately, with an unprecedented amount of party-goers in the narrow streets of Itaewon, the festivities quickly turned dangerous.