Sewol tragedy victims nettled by sympathizers

Citizens lined up to pay their tributes to victims of the Sewol ferry disaster.

By Ko Dong-hwan

Citizens sympathizing with victims of the Sewol ferry disaster paid condolatory visits to memorial altars, school and port, but their act of grievance isn’t all that comforting to the families.

People lining up at the altars and crowding the accident site to pay tribute have exploded since the tragedy broke out. But a report from Newsis Monday said the visitors should ask themselves how they might be seen by the families of those they pay tribute to.

It turns out 150 family members still waiting for the missing passengers are known to have been nettled by the sight of the visitors.

For the desperate families, beholding people wearing yellow ribbons, taking selfies in front of the altars, flocking to protest against the government only pricks their sentiments ravaged by the aftermath.

The report quoted those concerned with the families as saying the visitors appear more like daytime spenders seeking to have fun.

Some families were reported to have raved at a citizen who visited Paengmok Port with a picket, questioning how that could possibly help. Some 40 Ansan citizens who visited the port to hold a candlelight vigil were forced by the families to lay off the commotion.