Justice Party "The truth still lies submerged in the sea from 7 years ago"

Kang Eun-mi, floor leader of the Justice Party, is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Justice Party, marking the 7th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, stated, "The truth still lies submerged in the sea from seven years ago," and pledged to stand with the families fighting for the truth.

Kang Eun-mi, the floor leader of the Justice Party, said on the day, "Chunrae bulsachun (spring comes but spring does not come), a cruel April, the seventh April 16 that cannot be erased, must not be erased, has returned to us," adding, "We pray for the souls of the victims and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families."

She continued, "Among the bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster, there were also tragic deaths of those who took their own lives due to the wounds of the disaster. We are truly sorry for not being able to protect them. We will never forget all those deaths."

Floor leader Kang also said, "There are five missing persons who have not returned to their families' arms. The Justice Party will not let go of the thread of hope, believing that they will surely return to their families someday, somewhere, as stars, wind, or flowers in another form."

She emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. Kang said, "It is obvious that the truth behind the disaster must be clearly uncovered, those responsible must be severely punished, and the system that caused the accident must be overhauled. Why is this obvious task so difficult?" She pointed out, "The truth of the Sewol ferry still lies submerged in the sea from seven years ago, and all former and current Coast Guard officials, including former Commissioner Kim Seok-gyun, who was tried on charges of failing to take initial measures properly during the disaster causing passengers' deaths, were acquitted in the first trial."

She added, "The Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which was urged to be enacted after the Sewol ferry disaster and many other deaths, was left in shambles and has only now been enacted as the Serious Accidents Punishment Act."

Kang said, "Ultimately, even after the Sewol ferry disaster, we have faced large-scale disasters such as the Stella Daisy ship disaster, the Icheon warehouse fire disaster, and the humidifier disinfectant disaster. The horrific reality that about 2,000 workers do not return home from work each year is still ongoing," emphasizing, "There must be no value more important than life and safety. The truth of structurally caused disasters must be uncovered, and the state and corporations must be held accountable for social disasters."

She concluded, "We will stand by the families still fighting on the streets for the obvious truth and those who remember the Sewol ferry disaster."

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