For our loved ones' safety
In June, I visited the Sewol Ferry Memorial Space near City Hall Station in Seoul. Behind the memorial space, on the wall of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, the following words were written: “The Seoul Metropolitan Council will take the lead in raising the birthrate.”
Two young women were looking after the memorial space. On the three walls of the small space, the photos of 304 victims of the Sewol ferry disaster were hung.
I looked into each victim’s eyes — the high school students who were going on a school trip, their teachers and other passengers. The students were too young.
Because I saw plays produced by Yellow Ribbon, a theater company that the mothers of victims of the disaster founded, I remembered six of the children’s names: Yun-min, Su-in, Sun-beom, Dong-su, Ye-jin and Yeong-man. Each of them must have led a unique life.
In Yeong-man’s face, I could see his mother’s face. Tears welled up in my eyes. Looking at all the victims’ faces, I decided to join in making this society safer for all people.
I came out of the memorial space and began walking. On my way to Gwanghwamun, the gate of Gyeongbok Palace, I saw white, pink and violet flowers that bloomed so beautifully.
After visiting the memorial space, I read “Monthly 16th,” a book of essays on the Sewol ferry sinking of April 16, 2014. In the book, Jang Hye-yeong writes about an interpellation session at the National Assembly held in June 2021. There, the then Rep. Jang asked, “One of the causes of the Sewol ferry disaster was a decrease in the restoring force due to illegal structural alterations to the vessel and overloading. Regarding these problems, improvement is possible. Did the Moon administration solve these problems?”
Then Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom answered that he didn’t know. Jang revealed that many ships still sailed without vessel inspection, with excess cargo or with their structures altered illegally, mentioning such cases of endangering maritime safety that the Coast Guard discovered in 2021. I wonder how these problems are addressed now. Are we doing our best to prevent disasters?
Jang writes in the book: “Politics should take the lead in making Korea a country where citizens can live safely.” I agree with her. Also, we need to reform our political system because it is difficult to make this society safe in the current system.
Although 10 years passed since the Sewol ferry tragedy, the reasons the passengers could not be rescued were not revealed clearly. Many citizens including the bereaved families and survivors want to know the truth of the tragedy to prevent any more disasters.
If you’d like to support the activities of the April 16 Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to build a safe society, you can donate 4,160 won by calling 060-700-0416. Only when everyone is safe, can we and our loved ones also be safe.
Kim Sun-ae (blog.naver.com/everythingchanges) wrote "Old Potato, New Potato" and translated "Little Lord Fauntleroy."