The 'Sewol Ferry Memory and Safety Exhibition Space' to commemorate the Sewol ferry disaster on April 16, 2014 was temporarily moved to the Seoul City Council due to the restructuring of Gwanghwamun Square.



The memory space that used to sit on a corner of Gwanghwamun Square has left the square for the first time in 7 years.



The 416 Sewol Ferry Disaster Family Council held a press conference today (27th) and announced, "The family will organize the exhibits and records in the memory space and move them to the exhibition hall on the first floor of the Seoul City Council for temporary storage."



Executive Chairman Yoo Kyung-geun said, "The memory space is a building that was created with the utmost sincerity of the architect, the construction company, and the citizens, and it is not appropriate to destroy and dispose of it without permission." "The family and the contractor who directly constructed this memory space will dismantle it." and explained.




Regarding the appointment of the temporary storage facility as the Seoul City Council, Executive Chairman Yoo said, "The Seoul City Council will make efforts at the city council level to contain the life and safety of the Sewol ferry disaster and the aspirations for democracy in Gwanghwamun Square, rather than promoting political battles or differences in positions. confirmed," he said.



However, the bereaved family expressed regret, saying that the Seoul government unilaterally notified the demolition without any alternatives.



Kim Jong-ki, chairman of the Steering Committee, said, "The memory space is not just a building, but a space of open communication where we are thinking about how to move forward for remembrance and remembrance, and for the life and safety of the people." "It is not the end, it is the beginning."



Chairman Kim said, "Of course, we can cooperate with the demolition for construction, but we have consistently requested since last year that there must be a consultative body on how to operate the memory space after construction is complete." We have been notified of the demolition,” he said.



Earlier, as the restructuring of the square started in earnest this year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government notified the bereaved family of the demolition on the 5th and set the deadline to the 26th.



The family of the bereaved objected to this and ran parallel to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, but held a family council meeting last night and decided to follow the mediation plan to temporarily relocate the memory space during the construction of Gwanghwamun Square to the Seoul City Council, and a compromise was reached.



The city of Seoul said, "Thank you for the cooperation of the bereaved families who expressed their intention of voluntarily dismantling," and "If the Council of Bereaved Family members gives suggestions based on the collected opinions, it will not harm the function of Gwanghwamun Square. We will actively consider ways to commemorate it.”



(Photo = Yonhap News)