President Park Geun-hye went before national TV on May 19 and apologized to the nation for the government’s failure to save hundreds of passengers from the ferry Sewol, holding herself “ultimately responsible” for the disaster as the Chief Executive of the country.
The president, in an emotional speech on TV, said she would have to do what the government has been called on to do, which is to improve the country’s safety prevention measures and set up a new government emergency apparatus to prevent more disasters like the Sewol ferry sinking.
As part of her drastic reforms, Park said she would abolish the Coast Guard for its failure to save the passengers on the sinking ferry and carry out extensive reorganizations of the Ministry of Security and Public Administration and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for their failures in handling the rescue efforts and preventing the disaster.
“As president, (I am) responsible for the people’s lives and safety, and I offer a heartfelt apology for the pain the people have suffered,” Park said at the Cheong Wa Dae Media Center.
“The ultimate responsibility for failing to respond properly to this accident lies with me.”
The Chief Executive stood before TV cameras 34 days after the Sewol sank off the country’s southwestern coast on April 16. The disaster left more than 300 dead or missing.
The president apologized to the people for the government’s poor handling or inaction in several key areas to rescue the passengers onboard the capsized ferry before it sank late last month.
Park’s new apology on May 19 was viewed as an attempt to stabilize state affairs and placate the public’s anger over the government’s chaotic response to the disaster.
During her highly-charged emotional speech, the president said the nation should move on from the tragedy by joining forces to fight against corrupt practices and deeply-rooted tradition in certain sectors of society, which have been blamed for causing a manmade disaster like the Sewol.
“(For me) it has been days of agony and guilt,” Park said. “The sinking of the Sewol will leave an indelible scar on the nation’s history. However, if we build a truly safe Republic of Korea, it can also go on record as a new history. I believe such heavy responsibilities are given to all of us.”
Park choked up and shed tears as she read the names of nine ferry victims who died or went missing while trying to save others.
The president said the Coast Guard’s rescue efforts failed, and all of its functions would be transferred to other agencies including the new Ministry of National Safety that she previously proposed.
“The Coast Guard failed to fulfill its given duties in the Sewon disaster. Had it done its job fully, it would have saved many passengers,” the president said of the marine security organization.
“(The Coast Guard’s) functions of investigation and intelligence will be transferred to the National Police Agency, and its roles of rescue operations and maritime security will be moved to the new ministry of national safety to greatly reinforce the professionalism and responsibility over maritime safety,” she said.
The president also blamed the related ministries of security and maritime affairs, saying they have also failed to protect the lives of the people. Their key roles will be turned over to the new ministries to be launched under the Prime Minister’s Office.
In a clear gesture to embrace demands both from the opposition party and the victims’ families, Park also promised a special committee made of ruling and opposition party members, civilian experts, and members of the victims’ families.
The president also vowed to crack down on businesses suspected of posing a threat to customers’ safety, like Chonghaejin Marine Co., the ill-fated ferry’s operator, and put an end to corrupt ties between government officials and businessmen in related industries.
“I will, without fail, push the reform drive to root out the sleazy practices between government officials and civilians that have been going on for a long time and are so extensive that they have threatened the people’s lives.”
