SPOTLIGHT 25/04/16 Korean Catholics pay tributes to ferry tragedy victims

[성기화 요셉]

The MV Sewol ferry capsize was blamed on overcrowding and illegal ship redesign due to corruption

South Koreans pay homage to victims of the 2016 MV Sewol tragedy that claimed 304 lives, mostly children on a school trip, in this file image. (Photo by Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images)

By UCA News reporter

Published: April 17, 2025 10:25 AM GMT

Updated: April 17, 2025 11:22 AM GMT

About 300 people joined a memorial program, including a Mass in the South Korean capital Seoul, to pay tributes to the victims of the deadly MV Sewol ferry capsize in 2016.

The April 16 program marked the 11th anniversary of the tragedy that claimed 304 lives, mostly children and teenagers.

“Let the souls of those who died in the Sewol ferry disaster become the salt that purifies the world, the torch of conscience,” said Catholic Father Bernard Sang Ji-jong of Uijeongbu Diocese, who led the Mass.

The program was jointly organized by various Church-run organizations, including the Justice and Peace Committees of Seoul Archdiocese and Uijeongbu Diocese. It was themed “Remember and Stand in Solidarity.”

During the Mass, the names of 304 victims were called out one by one to pay respect to them.

“The victims will enjoy eternal life in the arms of God, so they do not need names, but their names will be with their friends on this earth,” said Catholic priest Bernard Sang Ji-jong, who led the Mass.

He asked the participants to pray and hope that “the pain of the Sewol Ferry disaster will never be repeated.”

Some family members of the victims also joined the program.

“I meet many priests and nuns when I go to places where solidarity is needed. I get comfort and strength from the church for being there for us,” said Jeon In-sook, the mother of the victim, Lim Kyung-bin.

She said her daughter was alive when the Coast Guard rescued her after the ferry capsized, but she did not survive because of the delay in medical support.

“Instead of being transported by emergency helicopter, she was transported by boat after 4 hours and 41 minutes, and died. Those responsible (for the delay) have not been punished,” she regretted.

Apart from Seoul, churches in various places in South Korea organized memorial programs on the anniversary.

The South Korean government of President Park Geun-hye faced criticism following the deadly disaster due to poor rescue measures.

The MV Sewol ferry with 476 passengers onboard sank off the southern island of Jindo on its way from Seoul. A total of 304 people died, most of them children and teenagers, on a school trip.

The tragic sinking was largely blamed on overcrowding and the ship’s illegal redesign. Corruption and lax safety standards were also blamed for the accident.

Many still believe that the tragedy could have been avoided had the Sewol's captain and crew not instructed the passengers to remain on the vessel despite the risks.

This report is brought to you in partnership with the Catholic Times of Korea.