In October 2014, Sewol Ferry Bereaved Family Members Kneeling Before Representative Kim Moo-sung
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "We are also citizens of the Republic of Korea who pay taxes equally. Please reveal the truth."
The father of the late actor Lee Ji-han, who died in the Itaewon tragedy, broke down in tears on his knees at the 'Itaewon Tragedy Special Committee' briefing held at the National Assembly on the 1st. The ruling party, the People Power Party, did not attend. The briefing was arranged for lawmakers to meet with the bereaved families and seek their opinions.
Although it was agreed to conduct a state investigation regarding the Itaewon tragedy that occurred on October 29, political issues and differences between the ruling and opposition parties have caused ongoing difficulties. Ultimately, the briefing was only a half-hearted event. The bereaved families of the Itaewon tragedy, including Lee’s father, tearfully pleaded for the punishment of those responsible and for a thorough investigation. They urged the National Assembly to pay more sincere attention to the Itaewon tragedy.
The scene of Lee’s father sobbing on his knees symbolizes this incident. The image of a citizen kneeling and pleading in the National Assembly, the hall of popular sovereignty, shows that the National Assembly is failing to fulfill its role.
In fact, more than a month has passed since the Itaewon tragedy, but most government officials, including Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who is pointed out as the person responsible, remain intact. The bereaved families question whether the government has the will to investigate the truth and punish those responsible.
The scene of bereaved families kneeling and pleading in the National Assembly over a major disaster is not unfamiliar. A similar event occurred in the National Assembly eight years ago.
On October 29, 2014, Lee Chang-hyun, the father of a Danwon High School student who lost his life in the Sewol ferry disaster, knelt and pleaded to Kim Moo-sung, then leader of the Saenuri Party, who was about to leave in a prepared car in front of the National Assembly main building.
With a desperate expression, Lee said, "Please help ensure the Sewol Special Act is enacted." The image of Kim Moo-sung watching Lee’s plea with the car door open was captured by photojournalists. That photo rekindled public interest in the Sewol ferry disaster. The photo report by OhmyNews at the time was selected as the 'Photo of the Month' by the Korea Photojournalists Association.
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