On the 16th, at Hwarang Amusement Park in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, bereaved families were immersed in sorrow during the '5th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony of the Sewol Ferry Disaster.' / Ansan - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] An 8th anniversary memorial ceremony honoring the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster was held on the 16th at Hwarang Recreation Area in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.
The memorial ceremony was hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and jointly organized by the 4·16 Sewol Families' Association and the 4·16 Foundation. A total of 299 people attended, including Sewol victims' families, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, government ministers, politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, and citizens.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence accompanied by a memorial song for the victims. It continued with condolence speeches by guests, a letter reading by a surviving student of the Sewol disaster, citizen message readings, and a performance by the 416 Choir.
Prime Minister Kim, delivering the condolence speech, said, “The government of the Republic of Korea failed to protect the lives of its people,” and added, “On behalf of the government, I bow my head and apologize.” He continued, “Even now, there are voices in our society suggesting compromising safety for convenience and cost reduction, but that must not happen,” emphasizing, “The government will uphold the precious wishes of the victims' families and the people to create a safer society.”
Gyeonggi Provincial Superintendent of Education Lee Jae-jung stated, “We will open the dreams that the 304 victims could not fulfill as hopes for a new tomorrow,” and added, “The dreams of the victims who have become stars in the sky will bloom and shine as hope on this land.”
Park Rae-gun, Executive Director of the 4·16 Foundation, said, “Even after eight years, the Sewol ferry disaster remains painfully present,” and stressed, “Creating a society safe for children transcends political parties and conservatism.”
Kim Jong-gi, Operating Committee Chairman of the 4·16 Sewol Families' Association, appealed, “Revealing the reasons for the unjust deaths is the beginning of honoring the victims of the Sewol disaster,” and urged, “President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol and the new government must complete the truth investigation and punish those responsible to build a Korea of fairness, common sense, and national unity.”
The memorial ceremony concluded after a tribute performance by the 416 Choir, followed by a one-minute siren sounding at 4:16 p.m. to honor the victims.
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