Remembering Together: Seoul Hosts 시민대회 Marking 11 Years Since Sewol Tragedy 🎗️

On April 12th, Seoul held the 기억약속 시민대회 (Remembrance and Promise Citizens’ Assembly) in Gwanghwamun, bringing together victims and advocates from various social tragedies, including the Itaewon disaster. This event marked the 11th anniversary of the Sewol ferry tragedy.

Despite the rainy weather ☔, approximately 5,000 participants gathered in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace to remember and honor the victims. The atmosphere was filled with solemnity and determination.

Key Highlights:

• Citizen Participation: The event featured booths where attendees could engage with the history of the Sewol tragedy. The ‘416 Remembrance Store,’ run by the victims’ families, was particularly popular, offering handmade goods.
• Solidarity: Families of victims from the Itaewon disaster and the Stella Daisy incident also participated, sharing remembrance items and fostering a sense of unity.
• Speeches & Testimonials: Citizens and advocates shared personal stories related to the theme of ‘Tragedy and Remembrance,’ emphasizing the importance of remembering to drive societal change. The phrase “기억하는 우리가 세상을 바꾼다 (Remembering changes the world)” resonated deeply with the crowd.
• Meaningful Timing: The main event commenced at 4:16 PM, symbolizing April 16th, 2014 – the date of the Sewol tragedy.
• Voices of the Bereaved:
  • Kim Sun-gil, Executive Director of the Sewol Tragedy Bereaved Families Association, expressed gratitude to those who have stood by the victims and emphasized that “remembrance can change the world when it becomes action.”
  • Park Se-hee, Co-representative of 4.16 Solidarity, highlighted the power of memory and stressed that remembering the Sewol tragedy is a driving force for a safer society.
  • Song Hae-jin, mother of Lee Jae-hyun, a victim of the Itaewon disaster, shared her indescribable pain and called for an end to senseless loss of life due to government negligence, urging everyone to remember the children.

The event underscored the ongoing commitment to uncovering the truth behind these tragedies and creating a safer society for all. The spirit of remembrance and solidarity was palpable throughout the day.

Korean Terminology Explained:

• 시민대회 (simin daehoe): Citizens’ Assembly or Public Gathering.
• 세월호 (Sewol): Refers to the Sewol Ferry disaster.
• 경복궁 (Gyeongbokgung): A major royal palace in Seoul.
• 광화문 (Gwanghwamun): A central area in Seoul, home to significant historical landmarks.