Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop: "Our Lives Are Divided Before and After the Sewol Ferry Disaster"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] “The Sewol ferry children send us their regards. Is South Korea and Gwangju safe? Is there any other Sewol ferry concern...”

Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated this in a statement on the 7th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster on the 15th, saying, “Our lives are clearly divided into before and after the Sewol ferry. ‘Safety’ has become the standard that determines urban competitiveness, and it has become the foundation and priority of all areas connected to people’s livelihoods such as economy, culture, welfare, human rights, and environment.”

He continued, “The painful lesson of the Sewol ferry is becoming the wisdom to overcome the COVID-19 crisis,” emphasizing, “Proactive and swift response, the devoted efforts of quarantine authorities and medical staff, and the solidarity and cooperation of citizens who thoroughly comply with quarantine rules are protecting the safe Gwangju community.”

He said, “Even now, seven years after the Sewol ferry disaster, the truth investigation is still ongoing,” adding, “Not forgetting the Sewol ferry and remembering it correctly is the first step toward a just society. Only a complete truth investigation at the national level is the way to repay even a little to the victims and their bereaved families.”

He then stated, “Gwangju will stand together. We pray for the repose of the Sewol ferry victims and extend deep condolences to the bereaved families.”