Memorial Ceremony for Sewol Ferry Disaster Attended by Kim Dong-yeon: "Is Your Sewol Ferry Over?"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon said on the 16th, marking the 11th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, "Has the punishment for those who destroyed the constitutional order and ignored the value of life and safety in society come to an end?" He added, "This is a question given to all of us and a task that we all must find the answer to."

Governor Kim attended the 11th anniversary memorial ceremony for the Sewol ferry disaster held in Ansan and introduced the documentary film 'Sinking 10 Years, Zero Sum,' which was released two weeks ago, saying, "It is a documentary that contains ten years of efforts to uncover the truth about the Sewol ferry," and "The film asks us, 'Is your Sewol over?'"

He then said, "Once again, we ask ourselves that question," and asked, "Is your Sewol over?"

He continued, "This year, just like last year, the seat in the middle of the front row (for the president) is empty," and added, "Today, presidential candidates are also here, and I hope that whoever becomes president will promise to fill that seat by the 12th anniversary next year."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is speaking at the 11th anniversary memorial ceremony of the Sewol ferry disaster on the 16th. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

He also quoted the book 'Holding Accountability,' written by the bereaved families last year on the 10th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, saying, "(According to this book) 'Like the Park Geun-hye administration during the Sewol ferry disaster, the Yoon Seok-youl administration is obstructing the truth-finding of the Itaewon disaster. The end of the Park Geun-hye administration will be the future of the Yoon Seok-youl administration. Those who hide the truth will sink, but the truth will never sink,' and the bereaved families were right," adding, "In the end, they sank."

Furthermore, he directly criticized, "The end of the two administrations that failed to protect the lives and safety of the people and were only eager to cover up the truth and evade responsibility was 'impeachment.'"

Governor Kim also said, "On the day President Yoon Seok-youl was impeached, a father who lost his beloved child in the Itaewon disaster said, 'I have come to a country before Yoon Seok-youl, but I cannot see my child,'" and added, "He said such a tragedy must never be repeated."

He also criticized the government's lukewarm attitude, saying, "On March 26th last month, the Ansan Mental Health Center newly opened. Although it was built, the central government hesitated to take the initiative in its operation, so Gyeonggi Province took full responsibility and decided to operate it."

He introduced, "The long-awaited 4·16 Life and Safety Park also broke ground in February after 10 years," and said, "Last year, I personally visited the National Assembly and the government, earnestly requesting that the budget for the Life and Safety Park construction be prioritized above any other project in Gyeonggi Province."