Today marks the ninth anniversary of April 16, the day of the Sewol Ferry disaster.
As a public official, I offer my deepest condolences to the victims,
and extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families, survivors, and all citizens living with the scars of that tragedy.
Since the April 16 disaster, no one in the Republic of Korea
has been free from the wounds left by the Sewol Ferry tragedy.
If I were to name one feeling that we share in remembering that disaster,
it would undoubtedly be ‘shame.’
We are ashamed for failing to prevent the innocent loss of 304 lives,
and ashamed that the bereaved families have had to repeat the same cries for nine years.
Not long ago, I visited the ‘Sewol Memory Classroom.’
I was deeply saddened by the words of a bereaved family member who said, “There is nowhere to lean on.”
The heart-wrenching pain of losing a loved one cherished as life itself
is something you cannot understand unless you have experienced it.
Respected citizens of Ansan, residents of Gyeonggi Province, and fellow citizens!
The way a society responds to a tragedy reveals its true character.
Even if the government changes, the values of ‘safety’ and ‘human rights’ must never change.
Gyeonggi Province stands with the bereaved families, survivors,
and the countless citizens who remember the Sewol Ferry disaster.
We will find every possible way to ensure the smooth completion of the ‘April 16 Life Safety Park.’
Like the ‘9/11 Memorial Park’ in New York, USA,
it will be a place where anyone with humanity can visit,
express mourning and comfort, and share the spirit of empathy and solidarity.
Respected bereaved families and survivors!
Accurate fact-finding and identifying responsibility
are the first steps to healing all those suffering from the scars of the disaster.
Only by taking that first step can the Republic of Korea healthily overcome the trauma of the tragedy,
and be reborn as a ‘safe society.’
I promise you once again today.
Gyeonggi Province will be a government more sensitive than anyone to ‘safety’ and ‘human rights.’
We will ensure that our children can find peace with bright, smiling faces.
In close cooperation with Ansan City,
we will meticulously oversee that all memorial projects related to the disaster
are carried out as promised.
Gyeonggi Province will never forget the tragedy and pain of that day.
We will forever remember the 304 victims.
Once again, I offer my deepest condolences to the victims.
April 16, 2023
Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Kim Dong-yeon
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