TRAGIC. Fire, police and rescue personnel are dispatched to Seoul's Itaewon district in South Korea following a deadly crowd crush on Oct. 29, 2022. A total of 156 died. (Courtesy of Yonhap)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed anew his condolences to South Korea after a Halloween event in the Itaewon commercial area in Seoul on October 29 ended in tragedy.
A crowd crush resulted in the death of 156 and injured 198 as of last count.
During his intervention talk at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)- Republic of Korea Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Marcos conveyed his sympathies to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his people.
“President Yoon, before I start, on behalf of the Filipino people, allow me to extend my condolences to you and all the people of South Korea for the shocking tragedy in Itaewon,” Marcos said.
The Halloween event was the first in two years after the pandemic broke out in March 2020.
No Filipinos were reported hurt.
Marcos expressed gratitude to South Korea for treating well Filipinos working and residing there.
"I cannot end my talk without thanking the Republic of Korea," the President said.
South Korea is home to over 50,000 Filipinos, based on data from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Marcos is in Cambodia for the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
Renewable energy, maritime cooperation
At the same time, Marcos expressed his intent to explore possible technological cooperation on renewable energy sources with the Republic of Korea (ROK), stressing that part of healing the environment is lessening the dependence on fossil fuels.
“Given the ROK’s expertise in harnessing renewable energies, let us explore opportunities for technological cooperation aimed at securing reliable electricity supply sourced from renewable sources,” Marcos said.
Before he left for Cambodia on Wednesday, Marcos approved the Department of Energy's plan to explore and develop offshore wind potential as a source of clean and sustainable energy.
He likewise emphasized the need to conserve and protect marine resources.
“Only substantive and effective maritime cooperation can yield valuable and meaningful benefits that will enrich both our regions," he said. (PNA)
