Guide to Victim Support
Long-Term Follow-Up Study
What is a Long-Term Follow-Up Study?
- · Disaster-related experiences can have serious and lasting effects on the mental health of disaster victims, those who lost their lives, and bereaved families. Such experiences can also cause indirect trauma to disaster responders and people exposed to the disaster through broadcast media. The range of people who may experience mental health impacts is therefore broad and diverse.
- - Psychological harm and symptoms resulting from a disaster may persist for an extended period, are influenced by various social factors, and are closely linked to physical health. Long-term follow-up, ongoing care, and treatment are therefore essential after a disaster.
Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Victims of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster
- · Under Article 67 of the Itaewon Disaster Truth-Finding Act (effective 11 May 2026), the State and other relevant authorities are required to conduct long-term follow-up research on the physical and mental health status and related matters of victims of the Itaewon Disaster to prevent social isolation, manage aftereffects, strengthen disaster response systems, and develop effective support policies.
- - Long-term follow-up research will be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and mental health experts, based on a 2026 planning study to be undertaken in 2026.