發布日期:2023-02-01 12:10:06
Mourners are seen at Itaewon Station, Nov. 3. / Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon
By Ellie Goodwin
The Itaewon tragedy left 156 people dead, an infamous figure now commonly known across Korea with countrywide vigils being held for all to pay their respects. The forgotten figure belongs to those presently dealing with psychological trauma.
Coping with waves of flashbacks will be a new reality for many.
"I saw a street lined with dead bodies. Civilians were giving CPR but it was too late at that point. I can't sleep. I remember that street and those bodies, and I remember the screams," a Canadian eyewitness told The Korea Times.
Feelings of guilt, anger and trauma will be a close companion for many in these weeks to come, with many struggling to process and find closure.
Seemingly innocent environments that had once posed no challenge may now act as triggers.
"I can't cope with small spaces at the moment. I feel like I can't breathe and start to panic straight away. My mind just takes me back to that straitjacketed, powerless feeling I had when I was there," recalled Eleanor Baumber from the U.K. who was one of the thousands in the crowd.
Humans are conditioned to have short memories, and compassion only stretches so far, so the unspoken external pressure to "move on" will start to loom over many. At this time, therapy will be a desired option for many but in a country that stigmatizes mental health issues and where services are hard to access, this presents another difficulty for those already struggling to cope.