Call for Disposal of Sewol Ferry Special Act Enforcement Ordinance and Salvage of the Ship
Last weekend on April 18, a memorial ceremony was held at Steinbruck Park, Pike Place, Seattle at 2:00 pm. About 60 people participated in the ceremony including Song Kyeong-won (host), Baek Guang-hyun, Lee Jong-hang, Lee Jung-ju, Hong Seung-ju, Park Joon-woo, Hong In-shim, Roh Jin-hee, Roh Duk-hwan, Kim Bum-soo, Kwon Jong-sang and members of the Seattle guitar club ‘Scent of Memory.’
Lee Nae-woon (a representative of the LA Democratic Union) and Jung Ki-bong (a representative of the Vancouver Democratic Union) joined the ceremony.
They blamed the poor rescue operations on an irresponsible government with a sign saying ‘Reveal the Truth,’ and ‘Remember Sewol Ferry.’
The participants called for the disposal of the Sewol Ferry Special Act Enforcement Ordinance which impedes the independence of the Sewol Ferry Special Investigation Committee. They also demanded that the ferry be salvaged intact, and a cease of procedure for compensation until an official proclamation of the salvaging of the ferry.
Song Kyeong-won emphasized the meaning of a rally by saying “Although a year passed after the disaster happened, 9 bodies are still missing, the ship has sunk and is on the bottom of the seafloor. This would mean a lot to the bereaved.”
A silent tribute and a floral tribute comforted the spirit of the dead and the Scent of Memory sang a tribute song ‘Yellow Ribbon.’ The peaceful rally finished as they marched down the street to Westlake.
A full text of Resolution for Sewol Ferry Disaster one year Memorial Service in Seattle
It has been a year after the Sewol Ferry sank with 304 souls who mostly were on a school excursion. The entire nation, and people around the world have been traumatized by the incident and it is still a pain in our memories. 9 missing souls are still waiting in the cold sea.
The Sewol ferry disaster was a national disaster raising fundamental questions about safety management and the rescue system in South Korea. The victims followed instructions “Stay put.” The victims waiting for help were lost at sea. The Korean government has remained silent and has evaded responsibility and covered up the accident by trivializing the Sewol ferry disaster as an unfortunate sea traffic accident rather than making a sincere effort find the facts and punish those responsible.
To prevent the recurrence of accidents and to find the truth behind the Sewol ferry incident, Koreans all around the world are making an effort to stop enactment of the Sewol Ferry Special Act by setting up a working party which includes the bereaved by making a “three steps, one bow” pilgrimage, beginning a signature-seeking campaign and going on a hunger strike. 6 million people have joined the signature-seeking campaign.
However, the Korean government still ignores the will of the people to reveal the truth, legalizing the Special Act Enforcement Ordinance which emasculates working party. In addition, the government cites financial reasons for not salvaging the ship, which is absolutely necessary to find the cause of the accident and to collect the bodies of the victims. However, the government distorts the compensation process by disparaging and isolating the bereaved.
It is an irony that the government neglects its duty to prevent the recurrence of the disaster and investigate the truth for the bereaved. Rather, the government suppresses them and they try to reveal the truth by themselves against the government.
We, overseas Koreans living in Seattle, call on the Korean government.
First, dispose of the Sewol Ferry Special Act Enforcement Ordinance which impedes the independence of the special investigation committee.
Second, salvage the Sewol ferry.
Third, dispose of the enforcement ordinance and cease procedure for the compensation until official proclamation of the salvaging of the Sewol Ferry.
We will not look on idly and watch as you interfere with finding the truth, and will act with civil unity around the world, including the bereaved, to get to the bottom of the incident.
