Meeting with Bereaved Families of Social Disasters Held on the 16th
Families of Sewol Ferry, Itaewon, Osong Underpass, and Muan Airport Passenger Plane Disasters Attend
"Official Apology for the Government's Failure to Fulfill Its Responsibilities"
President Lee Jae Myung bows to the bereaved families attending the "Dialogue of Memory, Consolation, and Healing" social disaster victims' family meeting at the Blue House State Guest House on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 16th, President Lee Jae Myung, on behalf of the government, apologized to the bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster, the Itaewon disaster, the Osong underpass disaster, and the Muan Airport passenger plane disaster. He also stated that the government would review the families' demands regarding the investigation of the truth, compensation, and measures to prevent recurrence.
President Lee held a meeting titled "Dialogue with Families of Social Disaster Victims" at the Blue House State Guesthouse that day. He said, "As the person with the highest responsibility for state affairs, I officially apologize on behalf of the government for failing to fulfill our duty to protect the lives and safety of the people, which resulted in the loss of many lives." He bowed his head in apology. This marks the first official government apology for both the Itaewon disaster and the Osong underpass disaster.
The meeting was held to mark the second anniversary of the Osong underpass disaster in Cheongju, which occurred on July 15. Previously, the bereaved families of the Osong underpass disaster had requested the president's attendance at the memorial service through handwritten letters. In total, 207 bereaved family members attended the meeting, including 14 from the Osong underpass disaster, 45 from the Itaewon disaster, 58 from the Muan Airport passenger plane disaster, and 90 from the Sewol ferry disaster.
President Lee stated, "The people are the true owners of this country, and all power comes from the people. However, when the nation, which is supposed to protect the lives and safety of its people, was needed most, it was not there. Because of a misguided social climate that values money over life and prioritizes cost over safety, people died or were injured when they should not have been."
President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at the 'Dialogue of Memory, Consolation, and Healing' meeting with families of social disaster victims held on the 16th at the Blue House State Guesthouse. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee went on to say, "Words of apology cannot bring back those who have left us, nor can they heal the deep pain in the hearts of the bereaved families. However, I hope this serves as an opportunity to ensure that no citizen ever again loses their life or is injured due to the absence of the government."
He added, "There may be aspects where you feel that the truth has not been fully uncovered, or that there has not been sufficient compensation, recognition, apology, or consolation. I will thoroughly review everything you have shared and do my utmost to address all necessary matters within the possible scope."
He continued, "By listening to your painful stories together with the people and working together to create necessary measures, we will strive to ensure that no more innocent citizens suffer due to the absence of the state."
At the end of the event, President Lee remarked, "The accident itself was heartbreaking, but the incomprehensible attitude of the responsible government officials after the accident must have been even more painful. Let us work together for a safe society, a society that does not treat life lightly because of money, and a society that does not equate life with cost."
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