On May 6, the normally joyous Buddha's Birthday holiday was overshadowed by the nation's somber mood. President Park Geun-hye attended events at Jogyesa Temple to mark Buddha's 2,558th birthday, becoming the first president of Korea to attend the religious ceremony. Giving the keynote speech, her words reflected the sense of funereal remorse that has overtaken the nation.
"(The ship operators) were blinded by worldly desire and ignored safety rules. Their irresponsible behavior, tolerating such violations, brought about the death of so many people," President Park said at the ceremony. "As president, as one who has a duty to protect the people, I'm truly heavy-hearted and feel so sorry for the bereaved families of the victims."
Her remarks came two days after President Park visited Paengmokhang Port in Jindo County, Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province), where she consoled the families of the ferry passengers who have been missing for 19 days. That was President Park's second visit to the port following her previous visit on April 17, the day after the sinking.
On the 17th, President Park met with 50 family members of passengers and heard what they had to say. "It must have felt as if your flesh was burning and on fire. My heart aches at the thought of it," she said.
"I know what it feels like to lose family members. I hope that all the missing people will be able to come back to their family, alive, but some are still missing. I can fathom the pain. I will do my best to support the rescue operation for as long as needs be."
President Park added, "I feel a great deal of responsibility for all the events that occurred, from the tragic accident itself through to the botched rescue operations. Give me the suggestions you have in mind, and I will take quick action." She also said that, "Those who were responsible for the accident, or who committed a crime, will be brought to judgment and could face severe punishments. The investigation team is looking into the cause and the step-by-step progress of how the disaster occurred. Government officials and civil servants alike will also be under the spotlight and could become subject to punishment, if it is discovered that they neglected their duty."
On May 4 President Park boarded a patrol ship to visit the location where the ferry sank. After having looked around the barge and decompression chamber anchored at the site, President Park delivered some words of encouragement to the divers, who have been working around the clock for the past 19 days. "I will never forget your dedication. I understand you are as desperate as the families of the missing passengers. They are all looking to you and are only looking for any good news you will bring," said President Park, asking them to keep on searching, regardless. Then she met with the families of missing passengers and with the principal and teachers from Danwon Highschool, delivering words of encouragement.
Earlier, on May 2, President Park met with 10 religious leaders at Cheong Wa Dae where she said, "The government has a responsibility to protect the people, but the ferry sinking has brought a huge loss of life. As president, I feel deeply responsible for this tragedy."
President Park added, "We should work around the clock to save at least one more person. We also need to establish proper systems, procedures and methodologies. The greatest amends we could make to the people would be to put in place a system that guarantees that such disasters would never occur again."
"While observing the rescue operations, I have become keenly aware of the weaknesses found in our government's disaster countermeasures. We are now in the process of creating better safety and inspection systems to make the nation a much safer place," said President Park.
"We Koreans have always been strong, facing with courage and fortitude any disaster or crisis that may strike. I ask us to face these problems courageously."
By Wi Tack-whan, Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr
"(The ship operators) were blinded by worldly desire and ignored safety rules. Their irresponsible behavior, tolerating such violations, brought about the death of so many people," President Park said at the ceremony. "As president, as one who has a duty to protect the people, I'm truly heavy-hearted and feel so sorry for the bereaved families of the victims."
President Park Geun-hye attends the religious ceremony at Jogyesa Temple on May 6. (photos: Cheong Wa Dae)
Her remarks came two days after President Park visited Paengmokhang Port in Jindo County, Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province), where she consoled the families of the ferry passengers who have been missing for 19 days. That was President Park's second visit to the port following her previous visit on April 17, the day after the sinking.
On the 17th, President Park met with 50 family members of passengers and heard what they had to say. "It must have felt as if your flesh was burning and on fire. My heart aches at the thought of it," she said.
"I know what it feels like to lose family members. I hope that all the missing people will be able to come back to their family, alive, but some are still missing. I can fathom the pain. I will do my best to support the rescue operation for as long as needs be."
President Park Geun-hye consoles the families of the passengers of the sunken ferry on May 4. (photo: Yonhap News)
President Park added, "I feel a great deal of responsibility for all the events that occurred, from the tragic accident itself through to the botched rescue operations. Give me the suggestions you have in mind, and I will take quick action." She also said that, "Those who were responsible for the accident, or who committed a crime, will be brought to judgment and could face severe punishments. The investigation team is looking into the cause and the step-by-step progress of how the disaster occurred. Government officials and civil servants alike will also be under the spotlight and could become subject to punishment, if it is discovered that they neglected their duty."
On May 4 President Park boarded a patrol ship to visit the location where the ferry sank. After having looked around the barge and decompression chamber anchored at the site, President Park delivered some words of encouragement to the divers, who have been working around the clock for the past 19 days. "I will never forget your dedication. I understand you are as desperate as the families of the missing passengers. They are all looking to you and are only looking for any good news you will bring," said President Park, asking them to keep on searching, regardless. Then she met with the families of missing passengers and with the principal and teachers from Danwon Highschool, delivering words of encouragement.
Earlier, on May 2, President Park met with 10 religious leaders at Cheong Wa Dae where she said, "The government has a responsibility to protect the people, but the ferry sinking has brought a huge loss of life. As president, I feel deeply responsible for this tragedy."
President Park said she feels deeply responsible for the tragedy at the meeting with religious leaders on May 2 at Cheong Wa Dae. (photos: Cheong Wa Dae)
President Park added, "We should work around the clock to save at least one more person. We also need to establish proper systems, procedures and methodologies. The greatest amends we could make to the people would be to put in place a system that guarantees that such disasters would never occur again."
"While observing the rescue operations, I have become keenly aware of the weaknesses found in our government's disaster countermeasures. We are now in the process of creating better safety and inspection systems to make the nation a much safer place," said President Park.
"We Koreans have always been strong, facing with courage and fortitude any disaster or crisis that may strike. I ask us to face these problems courageously."
By Wi Tack-whan, Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr
