"I Didn't Want to Lose It So Suddenly" Controversy Over Temporary Relocation of Sewol Ferry Memorial Space

'Sewol Ferry Memorial Space' Leaves Gwanghwamun Square After 7 Years
To Move to Seoul Metropolitan Council Exhibition Hall... Family Members Organize Photos and Items
Yoo Kyung-geun, Executive Director of the Association: "Our Consistent Demand Is for Citizens to Discuss"
Families: "We Will Definitely Resolve the Issue Together with Citizens"

On the 27th, the Sewol Ferry victims' families held a press conference in front of the 'Sewol Ferry Memorial Space' regarding the relocation of the temporary space.
Photo by Kim Seohyun ssn3592@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] "The Seoul Metropolitan Government did not consider any concerns and did not even propose alternatives."

This is part of a statement released on the 27th by the '4·16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Families Council' (the Council) regarding Seoul City's move to dismantle the 'Sewol Ferry Memory and Safety Exhibition Space' (Memory Space) established to remember the Sewol Ferry disaster.

The bereaved families expressed their regret and stated that they will seek ways to commemorate the children together with citizens. Earlier, Seoul City had notified the families about the dismantling of the Memory Space in connection with the plaza restructuring project. Although conflicts arose during the process, including clashes with the families, the dispute over the Sewol Ferry memorial space was temporarily resolved when the families accepted a mediation proposal for temporary relocation.

The memorial space for citizens to remember the Sewol Ferry disaster was created in July 2014, three months after the disaster, when tents were set up to demand a thorough investigation and the enactment of a special law.

The initial form was not the current building but tents. Bereaved families, some citizens, and politicians conducted hunger strikes under these tents demanding the enactment of the special law.

Later, the current Memory Space, consisting of citizen participation areas and more, opened on April 12, 2019. In summary, this temporary relocation of the memorial space marks the departure from the plaza after seven years, from the tents to the current Memory Space.

There have been many conflicts and controversies surrounding the Memory Space. Some opposed the fact that a specific disaster memorial space existed for an excessively long period in Gwanghwamun Plaza, which is operated with Seoul citizens' taxes, and that it became a political issue among politicians. While not opposing the memorial itself, they criticized why it had to be in Gwanghwamun Plaza.

Construction materials placed on one side of Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. A banner with the message "Stop the demolition of the Sewol Ferry Gwanghwamun Memorial Space!" is hung on one side. / Photo by Seohyun Kim, Intern Reporter ssn3592@

Regarding this, Yoo Kyung-geun, Executive Director of the Council, said in the statement, "If you think we are insisting on this building, please correct that misunderstanding," adding, "Our consistent demand was to discuss with the city, the Council, and citizens what measures can be taken to embody the democratic history of this plaza in line with the purpose of the Gwanghwamun Plaza restructuring."

Also, Kim Jong-gi, Operating Committee Member of the Council, said, "Since last year, we have consistently requested cooperation for dismantling," but "there was no agreement on how to properly operate the Memory Space, which embodies the history of democracy and open communication, after the construction is completed." He also questioned, "Seoul City claims that the purpose of the Gwanghwamun Plaza construction is to return the plaza to the citizens. Then why do they not consider returning the Memory Space, which citizens operate and voluntarily participate in and interact with, back to the citizens?"

Regarding the reason why the Seoul Metropolitan Council was chosen as the temporary relocation site, he explained, "We received contact from the Seoul Metropolitan Council. We decided on the temporary relocation with trust because they showed a willingness to make practical efforts rather than engaging in political disputes or emphasizing differences in positions."

The bereaved families expressed their frustration. While agreeing to the temporary relocation of the Memory Space, they emphasized finding ways to work together with citizens. A bereaved family member, Mr. Chae, said, "We were communicating smoothly, expressing willingness to cooperate if construction proceeded, but suddenly the mayor changed, causing problems," adding, "We did not want to lose the space abruptly. Although it is regrettable and disappointing, we will move forward in a direction that allows cooperation with citizens through this relocation and will definitely resolve the issue."

Construction materials placed on one side of Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by Seohyun Kim, Intern Reporter ssn3592@

Citizens' opinions are divided. Kim, a company employee in his 30s, said, "I do not disregard the painful feelings of the Sewol Ferry disaster families," but added, "What is regrettable is that a memorial space could be set up somewhere other than the plaza." He also said, "It is uncomfortable that the Sewol Ferry disaster is being politically exploited."

On the other hand, there are views that the memorial space should remain preserved in Gwanghwamun Plaza as it is now. Park, a company employee in his 40s, said, "It is meaningless to compare the degree of disasters, but in the case of the Sewol Ferry disaster, many teenagers died," adding, "It is a very tragic accident. It would be good to have a memorial space in the plaza to comfort them."

Meanwhile, the issue of dismantling the Memory Space escalated into a serious conflict starting earlier this month. Seoul City stated that as the plaza restructuring construction began in earnest this year, dismantling the Memory Space was inevitable and notified the families of the dismantling on the 5th. They then requested the families to organize photos and items from the 21st to the 25th of this month. Seoul City announced that the scheduled dismantling deadline was the 26th.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, Seoul city officials and members of the 4·16 Solidarity confronted each other while trying to organize items stored in the 'Sewol Ferry Memorial Space' at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by Yoon Seulgi, intern reporter seul97@asiae.co.kr

During this process, the families and Seoul City clashed over the organization of items in the Memory Space. According to the 4·16 Solidarity, around 3:30 p.m. on the 23rd, officials from Seoul City's General Affairs Department visited the Memory Space and attempted to organize it ahead of dismantling. A Solidarity official emphasized, "This is not just a simple Memory Space; it is a symbolic place," and "This place is independent of any regime," while Sewol-related activists came to the site and physically blocked Seoul City's attempt to organize the items, leading to a standoff.

However, on the night of the 26th, the bereaved families decided through a family council meeting to accept a mediation proposal to temporarily relocate the Memory Space to the Seoul Metropolitan Council during the Gwanghwamun Plaza construction period, reaching a compromise on the Sewol Ferry memorial space conflict. The families personally moved the items inside the Memory Space to the Seoul Metropolitan Council, where the items are temporarily stored in the first-floor exhibition hall of the council building.