"How Long Will You Keep Exploiting This?"... 7th Anniversary of Sewol Ferry Disaster, Unending Mockery and Criticism

Victims and Bereaved Families Mocked in Open Chat Room
Mockery in Online Spaces Has Persisted in the Past
"Selling Children for Profit" Verbal Abuse Also Occurred

The sun sets beyond the Sewol ferry hull at Mokpo New Port, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the occasion of the 7th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, controversy has arisen as some netizens have created anonymous chat rooms insulting the victims and their families. They not only used titles mocking the Sewol ferry disaster for the chat rooms but also posted messages opposing the memorial atmosphere, such as "Why should I mourn the Sewol ferry?"

Earlier, on the 17th, a day after the 7th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, an open chat room titled "Sewol Crew" was created online. This chat room allows anonymous netizens to participate and exchange messages with each other.

On the 17th, a social networking service (SNS) chat room was created with the intent to mock the victims and bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster, sparking controversy. / Photo by Yonhap News

The creator of the chat room posted a notice mocking the Sewol ferry disaster and also uploaded a photo with the phrase "Why should I mourn the Sewol ferry?" As of the morning of the 18th, about 130 people were reported to have joined the chat room.

Although seven years have passed since the Sewol ferry disaster, ridicule and criticism toward the victims and their families continue unabated. This is not the first time that mocking posts targeting the Sewol ferry victims and their families have appeared online.

During the 6th anniversary of the disaster last year on April 16, mocking posts also flooded online.

A hateful post about the Sewol ferry disaster uploaded on an online community. / Photo by Online Community Capture

At that time, a netizen wrote on social media, "Usually, their heads are empty, but when April 16 comes, they just put on yellow ribbons," and added, "I also express condolences for the children who died, but how long are you going to milk this?" sparking controversy with such harsh remarks.

Posts mocking the victims, students of Danwon High School in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, were also posted. In May 2017, right-wing cartoonist Yoon Seoin wrote on his Facebook, "I bought black pork for my cute younger siblings. It’s currently the most delicious pork restaurant in Seoul, so Danwon it is."

In 2017, cartoonist Yoon Seoin sparked controversy by posting content mocking the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster, students from Danwon High School in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Facebook capture

When a netizen pointed out, "Author, you meant Danwon (but wrote Danwon as Danwon incorrectly)," Yoon replied, "Danwon High School, I apologize," which stirred further controversy.

Given this situation, netizens have expressed outrage. They point out that mocking the national tragedy of the Sewol ferry disaster while hiding behind anonymity is a malicious act.

Netizens left critical messages through online communities and social media, such as "The Sewol ferry incident is no joke," and "The families are still mourning the victims; what are you thinking?"

Criticism was also directed at the chat room "Sewol Crew" that mocks the Sewol ferry disaster. On the Blue House’s national petition board, a petition titled "Punish those who created the Sewol Crew chat room" was posted and received dozens of endorsements.

Meanwhile, on the 7th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster on the 16th, President Moon Jae-in posted a message mourning the victims on his Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms.

President Moon said, "It has been seven years since the children became twinkling stars in the night sky," and added, "Thinking of the children who would have grown into dignified young adults if they were still with us is not a short time. I still feel sorry."

He continued, "Last year, the National Assembly passed the amendment to the 'Special Act on the Truth Investigation of Social Disasters' and the special prosecutor system, creating an opportunity to get one step closer to the truth," emphasizing, "I will make sure that the truth is uncovered without any sanctuary until the end."

He also said, "The progress is slow and regrettable," but added, "I believe that this is because the time needed for us to mature as much as the depth of our longing."

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