What Do You Think About the Demolition Notice for the 'Sewol Ferry Memorial Space'?

Democratic Party Figures "Withdraw Demolition Notice and Work with Bereaved Families to Find Alternatives"
Seoul City Open to Discussing Planting Trees or Installing Markers to Commemorate Sewol Ferry Disaster
4·16 Solidarity "Seoul City's Unilateral Demolition Notice Seen as Erasing Sewol"

Memorial facility for the Sewol ferry disaster, 'Memory and Safety Exhibition Space'
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has notified the families of the victims that it will remove the 'Sewol Ferry Memorial Space' located in Gwanghwamun Square for the square's restructuring construction, sparking backlash from the bereaved families. Members of the Democratic Party of Korea have also voiced criticism.

According to a statement released by the 'April 16 Promise National Solidarity' (4·16 Solidarity), Seoul City informed the 'April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Families Council' on the 5th that it would dismantle the Sewol Ferry Memorial Space. Seoul City requested that photos and items in the memorial space be organized between the 21st and 25th of this month.

According to the 4·16 Solidarity, the demolition start date announced by Seoul City is the 26th. The Solidarity stated, "During the construction period, the memorial space can be temporarily relocated, and after completion, its location can be discussed in line with the purpose of restructuring Gwanghwamun Square." They added, "Seoul City has not considered any alternatives regarding this and has not pursued a meeting with the mayor, which is regrettable."

They continued, "The Sewol families do not want a monument or tree planting. Although the Sewol Ferry Memorial Space in Gwanghwamun Square belongs to the citizens, Seoul City's unilateral demolition notice is seen as an attempt to erase the Sewol Ferry memory," they protested.

Previously, the families of the Sewol victims, centered around the 'April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Families Council,' '4·16 Solidarity,' and 'April 16 Foundation,' formed the 'Sewol Ferry Memorial Space Task Force' and have been discussing with Seoul City since July last year about relocating the memorial space in relation to the construction plan for restructuring Gwanghwamun Square.

In the process, the 'Sewol Ferry Memorial Space Task Force' maintained the position that while the memorial space can be moved during construction, it must be reinstalled in Gwanghwamun Square after the construction is completed.

On the other hand, Seoul City reportedly did not reach an agreement, arguing that the memorial space cannot be reinstalled after construction and that it must be removed first due to ongoing construction. However, it was conveyed that Seoul City is willing to discuss installing a tree or monument to remember the Sewol Ferry disaster.

'Sewol Ferry Memorial Space' in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Democratic Party lawmakers have consecutively criticized Seoul City's notification to the bereaved families about the removal of the 'Sewol Ferry Memorial Space' in Gwanghwamun Square.

Lee Nak-yeon, a former leader of the Democratic Party and a presidential candidate, wrote on his social media, "I am deeply angered by Seoul City's unilateral notice," and criticized, "It is too harsh for the bereaved families who are still in pain."

Lee added, "Remembering the Sewol Ferry is not a matter of politics or factions but a matter of human empathy for suffering," urging, "Mayor Oh Se-hoon should withdraw the demolition notice and consult with the families to find alternatives."

Another presidential candidate, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, said, "The Sewol Ferry is a trauma that remains in the hearts of the people," and pointed out, "What is needed to overcome the wound is healing, not forgetting."

Chung stated, "Are you thinking of cutting off a painful finger?" and warned, "The removal of the memorial space should not cause further wounds to the remaining bereaved families."

Additionally, lawmaker Park Ju-min criticized Mayor Oh Se-hoon on social media, saying, "Are you ultimately trying to erase the Sewol Ferry?" He questioned, "Is this an attempt to hide the stain of the Park Geun-hye administration from the public eye?" He emphasized, "Seoul City must not return to the previous closed and bulldozer-style administration," and stressed, "Unilateral demolition is unacceptable."