THE KUKMIN DAILY

Sewol Ferry, 3 Years: The Church Was There

3-2. Embracing Bereaved Families’ Lives… Opening of Carpentry Workshop, Thursday Prayers

Love Gathers to Warm Ansan

The atmosphere of Ansan, place of life for the bereaved families of the Sewol Ferry Disaster victims, was drastically changed by the tragedy. Every other person in Ansan is related either to a victim or to a bereaved family or to a victim’s friend, so the incident made everyone very concerned and cautious in all matters. Local festivals and various other events were cancelled or made simpler and smaller in size. The previously bustling market streets were calm and quiet for a long while. Neighboring churches and Christians from close and far away flocked to Ansan to shine rays of sunshine and provide solace.


(top photo) *Next to the Common Memorial Altar in Ansan is the 416 Hope Carpentry Workshop, set up by the bereaved families, Gogi Church (Rev. An Hong-taek) in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, and other churches of diverse denominations.

Mr. Yu Hae-jong (57), who lost his daughter in the Sewol tragedy, heads for the workshop every Thursday. It has been more than a year and a half since he began cutting, carving, and smoothing wood to make artworks. He said, “Immediately after the tragedy, I was depressed and could find no hope,” he said. “Since I’ve been working on these pieces of wood, the negative thoughts have disappeared and my worries have diminished. My way of thinking is different now.” (Kukmin Daily DB)


*The Thursday Prayer Gathering, held more than 100 times so far, at the Protestant Prayer Booth in the container building next to the Common Memorial Altar in Ansan, Gyeonggi-do. Kukmin Daily DB.


*Yoido Full Gospel Church members shop at Boseong Traditional Market Complex in Wongok-dong, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do. Kukmin Daily DB.

Reporters Jang Chang-Il, Lee Saya, & Choi Ki-young (jangci@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)


Full Story in Korean:
[세월호 3년, 교회가 있었다] 목공방 열고 목요기도회 100회 돌파… 유족들 삶 보듬어: (中) 안산에 모인 사랑의 온기