Ministry of Education Holds 8th Anniversary Memorial Event and Safety Activities for Sewol Ferry Tragedy

Education Office to Operate Memorial and Safety Week from 11th to 16th

The 4.16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Families' Association and the April 16 Promise National Solidarity held a press conference on the 16th in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Council to announce the month of remembrance and promises for the 8th anniversary of the Sewol Ferry disaster. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] To commemorate the 8th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster and to foster safety awareness, the Ministry of Education will operate a memorial and safety week from the 11th to the 16th in cooperation with education offices.

The Ministry of Education will change its website homepage to a memorial atmosphere and post memorial promotional materials throughout the government office building. All Ministry of Education employees will wear yellow Sewol ferry ribbons.

They will inspect the overall disaster and safety management status of educational institutions, including the implementation status of Safety Inspection Day events promoted by schools, education offices, and affiliated institutions, as well as preparations for natural disasters during the summer and the results of education and training.

Education offices and schools at all levels will also autonomously establish their own plans and carry out memorial events and safety activities such as memorial education for the victims, safety education and training, various literary and artistic activities related to disasters and safety, and the production and posting of promotional materials.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye is scheduled to attend the "8th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony of the Sewol Ferry Disaster" held at Hwarang Park in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province on the 16th to console the bereaved families.

Minister Yoo said, "We must not forget the pain of the Sewol ferry disaster and continuously establish systems that allow students and staff to engage in safe educational activities," adding, "Safety and happiness are the foundation of our education and must never be forgotten."