Seoul, Oct. 31 (BNA): South Korean companies have canceled their Halloween promotional events as the country mourns the deaths of more than 150 people in a massive stampede in central Seoul.
Lotte Department Store, a leading shopping mall, said it has canceled plans to hold Halloween parades and run pop-up stores at its Jamsil branch. Posters and promotional images for those events have been removed.
Shinsegae department store and Hyundai department store have also joined the move, canceling all Halloween programs and getting rid of decorations, according to Yonhap.
Local theme parks, including Lotte World Adventure and Everland, have suspended all Halloween events starting Sunday morning, while Starbucks Korea said it has concluded its Halloween drink promotions.
At least 154 people were killed in the wave of crowds during Halloween celebrations in the popular nightlife district of Itaewon on Saturday night, and dozens were injured.
The South Korean government has set a week-long national mourning period until Saturday, with flags placed at half-mast in government buildings and public offices across the country during the period.
FAE