Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop: "We Will Lead the Construction of a Safer and Happier Republic of Korea"

Sewol Ferry 6th Group Statement Announcement

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] “On April 16, 2014, many citizens were sacrificed due to the incompetence of the state.”

Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, issued a statement on the 6th anniversary of the Sewol Ferry disaster on the 15th, saying this and emphasizing, “The painful lesson of the Sewol Ferry six years ago has become a milestone in overcoming the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19. The government's prompt response, the devoted sacrifice of medical staff, and the entire nation's practice of ‘high-intensity social distancing’ have saved Korea from crisis and become a model case for the international community.”

Mayor Lee said, “Meanwhile, struggles to find the truth of that day continue,” and added, “Only through complete truth-finding can the victims rest in peace, and the bereaved families and all citizens lay down their emotional burdens. Our city of Gwangju deeply understands from the 5·18 truth-finding process that history can have strong power only when it is recorded and remembered correctly.”

He continued, “We will take the lead in Gwangju in fulfilling the promise made to the children who became stars: to create a ‘safer and happier Republic of Korea.’ I pray for the repose of the Sewol Ferry victims.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.