Gwangju Civic Group "Sewol Ferry Disaster, Truth Investigation and Punishment of Responsible Parties Needed"

Sewolho Gwangju Citizen Standing Committee '8th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony of the Sewolho Disaster' Event

The Sewol Ferry Gwangju Citizens' Standing Committee held a press conference on the 8th anniversary of the Sewol Ferry disaster on the 16th at the 5·18 Culture Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Junho] Civic groups in Gwangju urged, "Actively pursue the truth behind the Sewol ferry disaster and punish those responsible."

Civic groups, including the Sewol Ferry Gwangju Citizens' Standing Committee, held a press conference on the 16th at the 5·18 Culture Square in Dong-gu, marking the 8th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, making these demands.

The Standing Committee stated, "President Moon Jae-in had the highest authority but lacked the will to uncover the truth and punish those responsible, missing a rare opportunity that may not come again."

They added, "Now, the new government has been entrusted with the mission to investigate the truth of the Sewol ferry disaster and punish those responsible, and active cooperation is required for this."

The group defined the Sewol ferry disaster as "a clear act of state violence. The prevention of the accident, rescue, and recovery are state responsibilities," and said, "There was incompetence in rescue and recovery efforts, and the control tower was absent. This is a clear criminal act."

They continued, "Instead of protecting and supporting the victims, the state engaged in comprehensive surveillance and manipulation," and criticized, "Members of the National Assembly and politicians, entrusted with the rights of the sovereign people, have competed in mockery and hatred," arguing that the state must be held accountable for turning the victims of state violence into perpetrators who divide society.

The Standing Committee will continue the 8th anniversary memorial ceremony for the Sewol ferry disaster from 2:40 p.m. in front of the Jindo Paengmok Sewol Ferry Memorial Hall.