President Moon: "The Korean People Will Not Forget Their Condolences for Hungary" (Comprehensive)

Visiting Memorial Space for Hungarian Ship Accident... "Hoping Bilateral Relations Grow Like Ginkgo Trees"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "The Hungarian government has prepared this memorial space, and the Hungarian people have gathered their hearts in remembrance every year on the 1st and 2nd anniversaries. The Korean people will never forget this."

During his state visit to Hungary, President Moon Jae-in said this on the 2nd (local time) when he visited the Margit Bridge ship accident memorial space. The Hungary cruise ship accident occurred in May 2019. A cruise ship (Hable?ny) carrying 33 Korean group travelers and 2 Hungarian crew members collided with a large cruise ship (Viking Sigyn) on the Danube River in Budapest and sank.

At that time, there were many casualties: 7 survivors (Koreans), 27 deaths (25 Koreans, 2 Hungarians), and 1 missing (Korean). President Moon visited the cruise ship accident site immediately after arriving at Budapest International Airport to hold a moment of mourning. He also delivered a wreath bearing the phrase "Comforting the souls of our people" in his name.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hungarian government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Varga, accompanied President Moon on the site visit. President Moon expressed his gratitude for the way the Hungarian government and people responded during the cruise ship accident.

President Moon said, "I thank the Hungarian government for doing their best to search and rescue the missing during the cruise ship accident," adding, "I also appreciate that you prepared a memorial space to eternally mourn those individuals."

President Moon said, "Not only the Korean people but also the Hungarian people lost two individuals, and I offer my condolences and comfort to them as well," adding, "I believe this will forever continue as a friendship between the peoples of both countries."

Deputy Prime Minister Varga said, "The memorial was created through a collaboration between Hungarian and Korean artists. As you see now, it was made from black granite. The front you see represents the shape of the two sunken ships," and added, "I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and victims. I believe both the Hungarian and Korean people will never forget the victims."

Regarding the ginkgo tree planted as a memorial tree, President Moon said, "The ginkgo tree is a very long-living tree, and after some time, it grows very large. It also bears many leaves and abundant fruit. I hope the relationship between our two countries will develop in the same way."

Meanwhile, Korean residents who came out to the site where President Moon visited shouted, "Please come again," and President Moon responded by waving his hand.

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