President Lee Attends Sewol Memorial, First Sitting President to Do So

President Lee Jae-myung's attendance at the 12th anniversary memorial of the Sewol Ferry disaster is a historic first for a sitting South Korean president. This act breaks from past presidential administrations, none of whom attended the official memorial during their terms, despite some attending in earlier capacities. The significance of this participation, as highlighted by Presidential Spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo, lies in the administration's commitment to reinforcing the state's responsibility for social disasters and rebuilding public trust.

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I will not allow even a single gap when it comes to life and safety, and I will create a nation that protects its people under any circumstances and can be fully trusted and relied upon.

In his address, President Lee expressed a profound sense of responsibility, acknowledging the state's failure to fulfill its duty in past tragedies. He paid tribute to the families who have tirelessly worked towards a safer society, emphasizing that the nation's primary purpose is to safeguard its people. His promise to implement tangible and concrete changes that citizens can feel signifies a commitment to addressing the lingering issues stemming from the Sewol disaster and ensuring such a tragedy is never repeated.

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I keenly witnessed what happens when the state, which must protect the lives and safety of its people, fails to fulfill its role.

The presence of approximately 1,800 attendees, including families of the Sewol victims and victims of other disasters like the Itaewon crowd crush, underscores the enduring national grief and the ongoing demand for accountability and improved safety measures. The attendance of key political figures, such as the Speaker of the National Assembly and the leader of the Democratic Party, signals a cross-party acknowledgment of the event's importance. However, the absence of the ruling People Power Party's leadership, attributed to prior registration deadlines, has drawn attention and criticism.

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I bow my head in respect to the families who, even in their deep sorrow over losing loved ones, have meticulously left behind records and dedicated themselves to creating a safer society.

President Lee's previous outreach to victims' families, including an apology for the government's shortcomings, further contextualizes his participation. His reiteration of the promise to remember the 304 victims and their unfulfilled dreams serves as a powerful reminder of the national trauma. For South Korea, this memorial is not just a remembrance of a past tragedy but a continuous effort to learn, reform, and build a society where the safety and lives of its citizens are unequivocally paramount. The president's direct engagement signifies a turning point in how the nation confronts its past and commits to a safer future.

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The reason a nation exists is to protect the lives and safety of its people. I will achieve practical and concrete changes that the people can feel. Fulfilling this promise is the way to complete the homework left by the Sewol Ferry disaster.