Candlelight vigils and rallies were held in South Korea and other cities on Saturday to commemorate the 156 people killed in a Halloween crowd crush, with public anger growing over one of the country's deadliest disasters.

South Korean government and police have conceded that there was insufficient safety planning for a crowd that large, and opposition politicians have accused President Yoon Suk-yeol's government of not taking responsibility for the disaster.

And even though police had estimated beforehand that a crowd of 100,000 would participate, they only deployed 137 officers, compared with the 6,500 sent to another part of Seoul that night for an anti-government protest a fraction of the size.

The estimated 60,000 gathered in central Seoul at a candlelight vigil organized with many holding signs that said: "Step down, Yoon Suk-yeol."

And in Itaewon, at a subway exit near the alley at the center of the Halloween crush, there was many flowers and post-it notes.

"I will not let you go next time."

"I will remember you forever."

Mourners also left chocolates, beer, soju(a Korean alcoholic beverage)  and strawberry milk.

President Yoon on Friday joined other top officials including the national police chief and the interior minister who had apologized over the disaster.

"As a president who is responsible for the lives and safety of the people, I am deeply saddened and sorry," he said.

"I know that our government and I have a huge responsibility to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again."

South Korea is in a period of national mourning until Saturday, and all entertainment events cancelled.