Families of Disaster and Industrial Accident Victims Send Letter to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon
"Heartbroken That They Disappear Without Alternative Consultation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Bereaved families who lost loved ones in disaster and industrial accident tragedies requested Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on the 25th via a letter to establish measures to preserve the ‘Sewol Ferry Memorial Space’ at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.
According to the Life Safety Citizens Network, the families affected by disaster and industrial accident tragedies stated in the letter that afternoon, “The memorial space at Gwanghwamun is not simply a place to remember only the victims of the Sewol Ferry tragedy,” but “a space of ‘memory and commitment’ that reminds us of the preciousness of life and safety and aims to prevent the recurrence of such disasters.”
They also said, “The Sewol Ferry tragedy symbolizes the disasters and industrial accidents that have occurred so far,” adding, “Before the Sewol Ferry tragedy, Korean society dismissed disasters and safety accidents as mere coincidences, but after the tragedy, significant changes began.”
They expressed, “It is heartbreaking that such a precious space will disappear without any alternative consultation,” emphasizing, “Having a memorial space for life and safety in Gwanghwamun, the heart of Seoul, is a symbol of the promise to protect the lives and safety of the people and will be a pride for Korea and Seoul.” They further added, “We hope Mayor Oh will be remembered in history as the most exemplary mayor and politician who protects the lives and safety of the people and leads the creation of a safe country.”
The letter included names of bereaved families from the Daegu subway disaster, Kim Mi-sook, mother of the late Kim Yong-gyun from Taean Thermal Power Plant, Lee Je-hoon, father of the late Lee Seon-ho from the Pyeongtaek Port industrial accident, and families affected by the humidifier disinfectant disaster.
Earlier, on the 5th, the Seoul city government notified the 4·16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Families Association of plans to dismantle the Sewol Ferry Memorial Space for the restructuring construction of Gwanghwamun Square. They also requested that photos and items in the memorial space be organized between the 21st and 25th. The bereaved families are protesting on-site in opposition to Seoul city’s notification.
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