LG, KIA cheerleader killed in Itaewon Halloween crowd crush 


The death toll in the fatal Halloween celebration in Itaewon district in Yongsan, Seoul on Oct. 29 rose to 154 including 26 foreigners.

As South Korea celebrated its first full-scale Halloween celebration in two years, tragedy happened at about 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 29 when a crowd crush occurred in a narrow alley near Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, a favorite hangout for its bars and restaurants.

Cheerleader Kim Yuna (left) and "Produce 101" season 2 and actor Lee Jihan died in the Itaewon crowd crush (Instagram)

The joint incense center at Itaewon plaza in Seoul for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

Among those who were identified as fatalities in the horrific incident was Kim Yuna, who worked as a cheerleader for professional baseball teams LG Twins and KIA Tigers. She was 24.

She started as a cheerleader for LG Twins in 2016 and had been working as a cheerleader for KIA Tigers since 2018.

Her wake is at the Seoul National University Hospital funeral hall and her funeral will be held on Nov. 1 at the Seoul Memorial Park. Netizens offered condolences on her Instagram account.

According to Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the police are trying to identify the 154 who died through fingerprints and family statements and list them by nationality, address and gender.

Of the 154, the addresses in Korea of the 124 have been confirmed except for 25 foreigners and four Koreans. Out of the total deaths, 98 were female and 56 were male.

A total of 102 had addresses in metropolitan areas such as Seoul (60 persons) and Gyeonggi (37).

The Korean government declared Yongsan, Seoul as a special disaster area due to the Itaewon incident.

On Oct. 30, Korean media reported that Lee Jihan, who was a contestant in survival audition show “Produce 101” season 2 in 2017, died in the Itaewon tragedy. He was 24.

Lee Jihan was a trainee of Pan Entertainment when he joined the show, which gave birth to idol group Wanna One. His wake is at the Myeongji Hospital Funeral Hall No. 8 and his burial is on Nov. 1.

Lee Jihan’s agency, 935 Entertainment, confirmed his death.

"It is true that Lee Ji-han died in an accident in Itaewon on October 29. We hoped it was not true but when we heard the news, we were very shocked. We are very careful because his family is in a very sad situation. We pray for the repose of the deceased," the agency said, Xports news reported.

Lee Jihan made his acting debut in 2019 in the web drama “Today Was Another Nam Hyun Day.”