Dialogue with the victims' families of social disasters, President Lee Jae-myung

Introduction: The Significance of the Meeting Between the President and the Families of the Deceased

On July 16, 2025, the gathering where the president met with the families of victims of social disasters was not just a place of consolation. It was a historical moment where families voiced their grievances regarding disasters caused by the state's failure to fulfill its responsibilities, and the president responded. The families of the four major disasters—the Osong underpass flooding incident, the Itaewon crowd crush tragedy, the Muan Airport Jeju Air passenger aircraft accident, and the Sewol Ferry disaster—experienced their sorrow at different times and places, but their cries were fundamentally the same. They pleaded, 'Where was the state? Why was there no rescue? Please ensure that such incidents do not happen again.' This gathering began with the president's official apology, and the subsequent statements from family representatives clearly exposed the structural causes of the disasters, including institutional gaps, response failures, and lack of post-disaster support. This served as an important opportunity for reflection on the history of repeated disasters in Korean society and suggested a direction for moving forward.

Recognition of the nation's responsibility and the president's apology

At the meeting, the President mentioned that "the primary responsibility of the state is to protect the lives and safety of its citizens," acknowledging that the recent disasters were human-made incidents caused by the state's absence. The President clarified that "when the citizens needed protection, we were not there" and pointed out the prevailing trend in society of prioritizing costs over life, saying, "people who should not have died did, and people who should not have been injured were hurt." The President then officially apologized to the bereaved families on behalf of the government, stating, "Words of apology cannot bring back those who are gone, but I will ensure that the state’s absence does not result in the sacrifice of the citizens again." Such remarks can be interpreted as a starting point for genuine accountability beyond formal condolences. However, the bereaved families and the public will assess the President's sincerity through real changes, institutional reforms, and the execution of follow-up measures.

Demands of the bereaved families of the Osong underpass disaster

The Osong underpass disaster was a flooding incident that occurred on July 15, 2023, in the Gungpyeong 2 underpass in Osong-eup, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, resulting in the loss of 14 lives and 16 injuries. A representative of the bereaved families, Choi Eun-kyung, testified that "after the disaster, we received no guidance or protection from the state and had to handle everything on our own." She emphasized that this disaster was not merely a natural calamity but a structural human error, relaying five demands to the president. First, there is a need for a clear investigation into the causes of the flooding and the failures in response, as well as the advancement of a national investigation. Second, there was a call for equitable investigation and punishment for responsible parties in Cheongju and North Chungcheong Province. Third, she stressed the necessity of enacting a legal framework for a bereaved family support manual that can be activated immediately in the event of a disaster, along with formal protections for families of the missing and those affected on site. Fourth, she requested the establishment of a memorial monument and space in Cheongju, as well as government-level budget support and implementation oversight. Fifth, there was an appeal to immediately implement psychological counseling and recovery support programs for the bereaved families and for the central government to directly intervene to execute previously stalled discussions with North Chungcheong Province due to administrative friction. The Osong disaster was a clear human error resulting from administrative failures and lack of response, and the bereaved families are requesting at least minimal measures to correct this.

Demands of the victims' families of the Itaewon tragedy

On October 29, 2022, the crowd crush disaster that occurred in Itaewon, Seoul, was a major social tragedy that claimed the lives of 159 individuals. Representative of the bereaved families, Song Hye-jin, expressed deeply the neglect and indifference they have faced, stating, "For a thousand days, we have been in cold silence." He first requested the government to offer a sincere apology and condolences, urging the direct attendance of the President at the upcoming memorial service marking the third anniversary. This was understood not as a mere ceremonial event, but as a symbolic gesture demonstrating the nation's responsibility towards the victims and their families. Secondly, he emphasized the need for all information, including records from the presidential office before and after the disaster, police investigation records, and directives among relevant ministries, to be transparently disclosed to the special investigation committee to allow for a thorough examination of the facts. Thirdly, there was a request for the government to actively cooperate in discussions to amend special laws to ensure adequate personnel and budget for the special committee and victim support group, and to consider the introduction of a special prosecutor if necessary. The Itaewon disaster remains an event with questions of "who, why, and how," and the bereaved families assert that only by clarifying these matters can they overcome their grief and injustice.

Moonsan Airport Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster Family's Demands

The Muan Airport Jeju Air passenger plane disaster was an aviation accident that occurred in early 2025, resulting in the loss of an entire family and shocking society. Kim Yoo-jin, the representative of the bereaved families, expressed, "I hope this place becomes not just a place of comfort but a starting point for change," amid the shock of losing loved ones all at once. Firstly, he demanded the revision of special laws that include the investigation of the truth and punishment of those responsible. Secondly, he pointed out the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's subordinate structure of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Committee, requesting a new investigative system that guarantees independence. The current lack of investigation personnel and the reality of outsourcing were identified as structural problems that undermine fairness and expertise. Thirdly, he requested a comprehensive inspection of the remaining mound structures at airports nationwide and the aircraft safety systems, arguing that "we cannot allow the reality that a second disaster could happen again." Fourthly, he requested psychological support infrastructure for trauma treatment and long-term recovery for the bereaved families, as well as the establishment of respite shelters for them. It was emphasized that this is not merely a welfare issue but something that should be recognized as a national responsibility.

Demands of the families affected by the Sewol Ferry disaster

The Sewol Ferry disaster is the most symbolic disaster in South Korea's history, occurring on April 16, 2014. Kim Jong-ki, a representative of the victims' families, stated, 'The investigation into the disaster and support for victims has not yet been completed,' making it clear that it remains an unfinished task. First, he requested an official apology from the President regarding the state violence of the government that has surveilled and obstructed the victims' families and citizens since the disaster. Second, he demanded the release of records, including the 'seven hours' of former President Park Geun-hye and undisclosed materials from the military and the National Intelligence Service, as well as the resumption of investigations. Third, he pointed out that the establishment of the Life Safety Park has been delayed for several years and that the issue of relocating the Memorial Hall has not been resolved. Fourth, he noted that the processing method of the hull placed at Mokpo New Port does not reflect the opinions of the victims' families, showing that the state continues to exclude them. Fifth, he emphasized that 80 recommendations from the Special Investigation Commission on Social Disasters have not been implemented, and the current government has even rejected the report, calling for the President to receive the report directly and instruct the administration to implement it. Sixth, he argued that while medical support for victims is set to expire in 2029, treatments for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cannot be time-constrained, necessitating indefinite support. Finally, he called for the enactment of the Basic Life Safety Act and a complete reform of the disaster management system.

The Common Voice of Bereaved Families and the Challenges of Korean Society

Osong, Itaewon, Muan Airport, Sewol Ferry. These four tragedies were different forms of disaster, yet the voices of the bereaved families remained the same. There was a desperate desire to know the truth, a thirst for a responsible apology, and a sincere wish that such incidents would never happen again. They repeatedly experienced similar issues such as information concealment during disaster response, inadequate investigations, failures in rescue operations, and neglect of victims afterward. The responsibilities of the state must go beyond mere consolation after a disaster occurs. Comprehensive actions should be taken, including uncovering the truth, punishing those responsible, improving structural systems, and supporting the recovery of bereaved families. Korean society cannot ignore the demands of these bereaved families. Their voices are no longer just 'the sorrow of individual victims' they serve as a warning about the structural maladies that afflict the entire society and a request for healing.

Conclusion: So that the state will never turn its back again

This meeting between the president and the bereaved families is an important test showing how Korean society remembers disasters and how it must overcome them. The president's apology was sincere, but if it does not lead to tangible change, it will remain yet another empty gesture. The investigation into the truth and institutional improvement are not only for the bereaved families but also for establishing a safety net for future citizens. I hope this meeting will be the starting point for dialogue, trust, and responsibility between the state and its citizens. And that start must be about 'execution,' not just words. Only by doing so can true comfort begin. We must act now to create a society where the state protects its citizens, a society that is not powerless in the face of disasters once again.