An Minseok Visits 4.16 Memory Classroom: "We Will Remember to the End and Prevent Repeated Tragedy"

An Minseok, a prospective candidate for Superintendent of Education in Gyeonggi Province, visited the "Danwon High School 4.16 Memory Classroom" in Danwon District, Ansan City, on April 15, one day before the 12th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster. He paid tribute to the victims and emphasized, "We must remember to the end and ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated."

An Minseok, a preliminary candidate for Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education, visited the Danwon High School 4.16 Memory Classroom on the 15th to review the records of the students who lost their lives. Photo by An Minseok, preliminary candidate

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After attending the "Danwon High School 4.16 Memory Classroom International Academic Conference" held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education's 4.16 Life Safety Education Center that day, candidate An toured the Memory Classroom, stating, "It is our society’s responsibility to offer comfort to the bereaved families and survivors, to uncover the truth, and to prevent recurrence."

Candidate An solemnly paid his respects, carefully observing each yellow ribbon, post-it note, and the flowers placed on the desks left behind by their owners. At the site, he remarked, "This is not merely a place where time has stopped in the past, but a 'space of responsibility' that we must remember and reflect upon to the very end." He further emphasized, "As an adult in a society that failed to protect its children, true educational change must begin with not forgetting our shame and responsibility."

An Minseok, a prospective candidate for Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, is paying tribute to the deceased students while visiting the Danwon High School 4.16 Memorial Classroom on the 15th. Photo by An Minseok, prospective candidate

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He continued, "The Sewol ferry disaster is a deep wound for our society that cannot be lessened by the passage of time." He pledged, "I will stand by the bereaved families and survivors through their ongoing pain and ensure that their voices are placed at the center of educational policy."

Additionally, candidate An stated, "The truth must be fully revealed, and it is our society’s duty to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated." He added, "I will fulfill my responsibility to create safe schools and communities so that the sacrifice of the children is not in vain."

Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education candidate An Minseok is paying tribute to the students who sacrificed their lives while visiting the Danwon High School 4.16 Memorial Classroom on the 15th. Photo by candidate An Minseok

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Meanwhile, candidate An also stressed the need to strengthen practical, action-oriented safety education that goes beyond formal instruction and enables immediate response to disasters. He added that it is essential to establish a school safety net, including early detection of risk signs using AI, a crisis response system directly under the superintendent, and psychological support.

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