Remember?
There was a ferry named Sewol, which was en route from Incheon to Jeju Island in South Korea on April 16, 2014. It was carrying 476 people when it started to sink in the early morning of the day. The whole nation and part of the world were helplessly watching the ‘dying process’ through live coverage. It might be fair to say none of the passengers, except those who themselves came out to nearer (or jumped on) to the rescue boats including the infamous Captain Lee, have been rescued from the boat, where they were told “stay put” by the ferry staff. While the trapped passengers were eagerly awaiting to be rescued and sending ‘good-bye’ or ‘love’ message to their loved ones just in case, ‘Golden Time’ – the first hours to rescue – has not been utilized at all. As a result, more than 300 died. Most of them were high school students on excursion.
Now, rather primitive questions remain to be answered till today. Such as : What made it sink in the first place? ‘Why has been the rescue team, particularly the coastal guards, so inactive and terribly dumb missing out first hours or even a day? – Otherwise dozens at least could have been saved or perhaps all trapped could have been rescued-. To what extent should the Park Geun-Hye’s administration take responsibility for their neglect on this murderous failure? And where on the earth has been President Park Geun-Hye for the first 7 hours right after the incident as the head of state has been mysteriously missing during that time? And so forth…
The 210 days-long search operation for bodies has officially stopped on November 10. Nine are unaccounted for. Three divers died. Search operation for truth will not stop nevertheless.
The below images were taken on August 14, 15 during my visit to the country where I was born and grew up for 30 years.
All rights reserved © Lee Yu Kyung 2014
Phrase on the big board put up on City Hall in Seoul reads “Till last person..(to be found, we will search for)”. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
The sign showed direction to where one of the victims’ father has been on a hunger strike seeking truth. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
“Thinking of you all” (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Citizens and activists have joined a hunger strike at GwangHwaMoon Plaza in Seoul. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Yu Min’s father has been on a hunger strike for 32 days as of August 14. Yu Min, one of hundreds students on the Sewol ferry, was killed in the incident (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
A Monk, who’s been on a hunger strike in solidarity with victim’s family, received support from fellow monks. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Catholic sisters have joined one day hunger strike in solidarity with victims’ family (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Victims’ family in desperation appealed Pop Francis, who was going to visit the country in days. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Sit-in protest and a national hunger strike at GwangHwaMoon Plaza in Seoul (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
The petition campaign for thorough investigation on Sewol ferry has been launched. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
You will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
“What we want is Truth” (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Victims’ family along with civil societies have long demanded Sewol Special Act, in which the Special Committee should be fully authorized for both indictment and investigation. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Victims’ family and citizens were outraged at the neglectful Presidential Palace, to which they ask to take responsibility. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Victims’ family and citizens have been seeking truth of Sewol tragedy demanding Sewol Special Act, in which the Special Committee should be fully authorized for both indictment and investigation. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Marching for Sewol Special Act in Seoul (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Some of citizens at the Sewol protest demanded President Park Geun-Hye to step down. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
One of the key slogans at the Sewol protest was calling president Park to account for or step down (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
‘0416 will not be forgotten’. 0416 refers to the date of Sewol incident. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
“Till last person to be found, we will be with you” (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014) )
Police were actively taking pictures of protesters while confronting them, who’re seeking truth of Sewol incident. There has been growing concerns over close surveillance by the Park Geun-Hye administration (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Police and protesters were confronting as the latter wanted to proceed further march seeking truth of Sewol incident. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
A man, who fainted for short, was recovering while police and protesters were still confronting as the latter wanted to proceed further march in central Seoul. (© Lee Yu Kyung 2014)
Another WORD is Possible 