Public Notice on the Application for Living Assistance Fund for
Victims of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster

 Note: To apply for living assistance fund, you must first be officially recognized as a victim under the Special Act on the Protection of Victims’ Rights, Fact-Finding, and Prevention of Recurrence of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster.

*For more information, visit:

Application Period

• Applications will be accepted from June 9, 2025 until further notice.
  

  * If an applicant is unable to apply due to exceptional circumstances (e.g., residing abroad for an extended period), they must apply within six months from the date the relevant circumstance is resolved.

Eligible Applicants

• Members of the household to which a deceased victim of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster belonged

  Definition of “Deceased Victim” under Article 2, Subparagraph 2 of the Special Act on the Protection of Victims’ Rights, Fact-Finding, and Prevention of Recurrence of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster:

  2. A “deceased victim” is defined as a person who died during the Seoul Halloween crowd crush on October 29, 2022 (hereinafter “October 29 Itaewon Disaster”), or a person who died as a result of physical or psychological injuries caused by the disaster.

• Members of the household to which a person recognized as an affected person under Article 2, Subparagraph 3(b) of the Act belongs

  Definition of “Affected Person” under Article 2, Subparagraph 3(b): b. Individuals recognized as affected persons by the Deliberation Committee:

  1) Persons who participated in emergency rescue or recovery efforts during the disaster (excluding public officials acting within the scope of their duties);

  2) Persons who operated a business or were engaged in work near the affected area at the time of the disaster; and

  3) Persons who suffered physical, psychological, or economic harm as a result of the disaster and require support for recovery.

• Individuals not considered household members under the definitions above but eligible by special resolution 

  - Parents, children, or siblings of a deceased victim or recognized affected person under Article 2, Subparagraph 3(b) of the Act (or, in the absence of such, relatives within the fourth degree of kinship) who are not registered household members may be recognized as household members if they are deemed in need of support due to their involvement in disaster-related relief activities.

  *This requires resolution by the October 29 Itaewon Disaster Damage Relief Deliberation Committee (hereinafter “Deliberation Committee”).

Application Procedure

• Domestic Applicants (South Korean nationals and registered alien residents): Submit a completed Application for Living Assistance fund along with the required documents* to the mayor, county governor, or district head with jurisdiction over the applicant’s registered address on the date of application. Submission may be made in person, by mail, or by fax.

  - Foreign nationals without a registered address in South Korea must submit their application to the local authority with jurisdiction over the location of their country’s embassy.

• Foreign Applicants Residing Abroad: Send the application documents along with a power of attorney to the embassy of the applicant’s home country in South Korea. The consular officer or embassy staff will submit the application and receive the living assistance fund from the local Korean authority (mayor, county governor, or district head) and then deliver it to the applicant.

  *Required Documents for Foreign Nationals

  • 1. Foreign Nationals Residing in the Republic of Korea
    1. ① Application for Living Assistance fund (Form 1), valid identification of the applicant, and a copy of the recipient’s bankbook/passbook
    2. ② Certificate of Resident Registration (full or abstract; only required if the applicant has not consented to the shared use of administrative information)

       - For foreign nationals: documents such as a Certificate of Alien Registration that verify household composition

    3. ③ Application for Recognition of Household Member Eligible for Living Assistance fund (Form 2), with supporting documents (required only if household recognition by the Deliberation Committee is necessary)
    4. ④ Certificate of Victim Recognition (if applicable; not required for bereaved family members)
    5. ⑤ Additional documents:

       - If the applicant is a bereaved family member: Certificate of Family Relations

       - If the recipient or affected person is a minor: Certificate of Identification or other documents proving legal guardianship

  • 2. Foreign Nationals Residing Abroad
    1. ① Application for Living Assistance fund (Form 1), valid identification of the applicant
    2. ② Documents verifying household composition (e.g., birth certificate)
    3. ③ Application for Recognition of Household Member Eligible for Living Assistance fund (Form 2), with supporting documents (required only if household recognition by the Deliberation Committee is necessary)
    4. ④ Certificate of Victim Recognition (if applicable; not required for bereaved family members)
    5. ⑤ Power of Attorney:
       - A signed document authorizing the applicant’s embassy in the Republic of Korea to apply for and receive the living assistance fund on their behalf (delegating person’s signature required)
• Upon receipt of the application, the local authority (mayor, county governor, or district head) will verify the applicant’s eligibility and process the documents.

Objection Procedure

• If the applicant disagrees with the decision regarding the living assistance fund, they may submit a formal objection (Form 5) to the relevant mayor, county governor, or district head within 30 days from the date of notification. Foreign nationals residing abroad must attach a power of attorney and submit the form through their country’s embassy in South Korea.

  - If the local authority deems the objection valid upon review, it may revise the decision and issue payment accordingly following notification.

Attachment(s):  Standard application forms download