Sewol Ferry 10th Anniversary... President and Ruling and Opposition Parties Continue Memorials

Yoon Seok-yeol "Expresses Deep Condolences to the Bereaved"
Lee Jae-myung "There Was No State in Front of Jindo Sea"
Yoon Jae-ok & Hong Ik-pyo to Attend Sewol Ferry Memorial Ceremony This Afternoon

President Yoon Suk-yeol and the leadership of both ruling and opposition parties issued messages commemorating the 10th anniversary of the April 16 Sewol ferry disaster. This is the first time President Yoon has personally released a Sewol memorial message since taking office.

On the morning of the 16th, during a Cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Office building, President Yoon stated, "Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster," adding, "Although 10 years have passed, the situation on April 16, 2014, remains vivid in my mind." He further expressed, "I pray for the repose of the tragic victims and once again offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families." This statement was made after expressing his position on the 22nd general election during the open Cabinet meeting. While President Yoon posted a memorial message on Facebook as a president-elect in 2022, he remained silent on April 16 last year.

On the morning of the 16th, citizens at Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, are watching President Yoon Suk-yeol's opening remarks during the live broadcast of the Cabinet meeting. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on his Facebook post that morning, "On this day 10 years ago, when 304 universes collapsed, the entire nation had to question and deeply reflect on 'why the state exists'?April 16." He added, "On that day, the state was absent in the waters off Jindo." He pledged, "We will fulfill the political responsibility to ensure that no more lives are wasted due to the state's incompetence and irresponsibility," and declared, "We will restore the state's responsibility to protect the lives and safety of the people."

Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party, observed a moment of silence for the victims before the start of the party’s strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that morning. He said, "The Sewol ferry disaster left us with the task of creating a safe society," but added, "There are still many shortcomings and deficiencies." He pointed out, "Even after the Sewol disaster, incidents such as the Itaewon tragedy, the death of marine corps personnel, the Osong subway accident, and numerous serious industrial accidents continue to occur, showing that the lives and safety of the people are still not adequately protected."

On the 16th, a banner commemorating the 10th anniversary of the April 16 Sewol ferry disaster was displayed after the Democratic Party's floor strategy meeting. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Hong Ik-pyo will attend the ‘April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster 10th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony’ held at Hwarang Park in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, at 3 p.m. The memorial ceremony, hosted by the April 16 Foundation, is held to commemorate the victims and to establish and spread a culture of safety. Also expected to attend are Cho Guk, leader of the Gukguk Innovation Party; Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party; Jang Hye-young, acting floor leader of the Green Justice Party; and Kim Jong-min, co-leader of the New Future Party. Lee Jae-myung will not attend the ceremony due to a court schedule related to the Daejang-dong case.

Jung Hee-yong, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, released a statement saying, "We pray for the repose of the 304 victims, including the young lives lost in their prime, and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and survivors who still carry the weight of sorrow." He added, "‘Safety,’ which protects the lives of the people, must never be politicized or become a subject of dispute," and affirmed, "The People Power Party and the government will devote all efforts to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again."

The April 16 Sewol ferry disaster occurred on April 16, 2014, when the passenger ferry Sewol, traveling from Incheon to Jeju, capsized near Jodo-myeon, Jindo County, Jeollanam-do, resulting in 299 deaths and 5 missing persons.