11th Anniversary of Sewol Ferry Disaster... "The State's Responsibility Is Not Over Yet"

Gwangju Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union Issues Statement
Calls for Constitutional Enshrinement of Citizens' Right to Safety
Carrying Out Truth Education in the "Classroom of Remembrance"

On the 14th, two days before the 11th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, visitors continued to come to the 4.16 Memory Classroom at Danwon High School in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, to pay their respects. Photo by Yonhap News

The Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union issued a statement marking the 11th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, urging for the truth behind the tragedy to be uncovered and for the establishment of citizens' right to safety.

In its statement on the 15th, the Gwangju branch said, "Although the Sewol ferry was salvaged, lives were not saved, and the hearts of the bereaved families are still wandering in the deep sea," adding, "Time has corroded, but the memory of that day remains vivid in our hearts."

The union criticized, "Even after the Sewol disaster, major tragedies have continued to occur," and added, "State authorities failed to protect the lives of the people and, at times, even turned their weapons against them." The statement continued, "The people are moving toward judging and clearing away the forces of rebellion," and emphasized, "The new government must not ignore the people's demand for a safer world."

The statement also called for the constitutional amendment to explicitly guarantee the 'right to safety for the people.' The union pointed out, "In a civic survey on major social reforms conducted by Gwangju City (4,443 respondents), 54.5% chose the establishment of a right to safety in the Constitution as the top priority for guaranteeing citizens' basic rights," and noted, "While the Constitution mentions 'national safety,' it does not mention 'the safety of the people.'"

Regarding the Gwangju Office of Education, the statement said, "It must respond more responsibly to the various safety accidents that continue to occur both inside and outside of schools," adding, "Most current measures are merely remedies after the fact." The union further stated, "Effective policies from the Office of Education are needed so that teachers and students can continue to learn and grow in a safe educational environment."

The Gwangju branch concluded, "We remember the bereaved families who continue to move forward in search of the truth. Together with teachers on the ground, we will continue to carry the lessons of the tragedy into our educational activities in the classroom of remembrance."