DP Commemorates 12th Anniversary of Sewol Ferry Disaster: "Will Expedite Basic Act on Life and Safety"

Ruling Party Leadership Attends Memorial Service
People Power Party Leadership Absent Due to Scheduling Conflict

On April 16, the Democratic Party of Korea commemorated the 12th anniversary of the Sewol Ferry disaster by honoring the victims and pledging to expedite the passage of the Basic Act on Life and Safety.

President Lee Jae-myung, Mrs. Kim Hye-kyung, Speaker Woo Won-shik of the National Assembly, and Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, are observing a moment of silence at the 12th anniversary memorial service for the Sewol Ferry disaster held on the 16th at Hwarang Park in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae, Floor Leader Han Byungdo, and others attended the "12th Anniversary Memorial Service for the Sewol Ferry Disaster" held at Hwarang Park in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province on the same day, offering condolences to the victims and expressing sympathy to the bereaved families and survivors.

Leader Jeong wrote on social media, "Every year on April 16, the horror of that day comes back to me. The truth about the Sewol Ferry still lies at the bottom. Even if belatedly, I promise to enact the Basic Act on Life and Safety."

On the same day, Floor Leader Han stated at a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, "We will process the Basic Act on Life and Safety as quickly as possible." Policy Committee Chair Han Jeongae also emphasized, "Enacting the Basic Act on Life and Safety, which will help build a society where life and safety are respected, is an imperative of our times that can no longer be delayed."

The Basic Act on Life and Safety, which is currently pending in the National Assembly, aims to build and establish a safe society where everyone is protected from accidents in terms of life, physical safety, and property. It also includes provisions for guaranteeing objective and independent investigations into the causes of accidents and the appropriateness of responses by the state and local governments.

Woo Wonshik, Speaker of the National Assembly, who attended the memorial service, had earlier posted on social media that day, "It pains me to think of how much suffering the bereaved families and victims have endured until society's demand for the enactment of the Basic Act on Life and Safety grew. I feel deeply sorry for keeping the families waiting for so long and also apologize to the citizens who have united behind this cause." He called for the prompt passage of the bill, which is currently pending in the Public Administration and Security Committee.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the People Power Party, including Floor Leader Song Eonseok, did not attend the memorial service on that day. Instead, they wore black neckties and observed a moment of silence in tribute to the victims during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning.

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