*At Paengmok Harbor in Jindo, Jeollanam-do, on December 21, Rev. Park Jong-chan (on right), who is helping the families of persons still missing in the Sewol Ferry disaster, explains to Rev. Na Haek-jip, vice chair of the NCCK Committee for Reconciliation and Reunification (center), and Fr. Kim Hyeon-ho (left), vice chair of the Sewol Ferry Countermeasures Committee, the sequence of events immediately following the disaster.
We arrived at Paengmok Harbor in Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do, after a 420-kilometer drive from Seoul on December 21. The weather was blustery at this place where we would get on a boat for the hour-long ride to Donggeochado Island. The reason why our group of eight, which included Rev. Kim Young-ju, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea; Rev. Na Haek-jip (Yeollim Church), vice chair of the NCCK Reconciliation and Reunification Committee; Fr. Kim Hyeon-ho (Anglican Church of Korea), vice chair of the Sewol Ferry Countermeasures Committee; and Rev. Choi So-yeong, chair of the NCCK Women’s Committee, were going to Donggeochado Island was that the grieving families of Sewol victims were there, still trying to get the truth told about the causes of the disaster.
Donggeochado Island, where the family members have come to watch the salvage operation following the government’s refusal of their request for more active participation, is the land vantage point closest to the sunken ferry. Before departing for the island, the visiting group prayed at the memorial altar set up for the victims at Paengmok Harbor.
The bereaved families come to Donggeocha Island every week in rotating groups of 3~4 persons. NCCK General Secretary Kim spoke to them. “We came here to share the Word that Jesus comforts and encourages the powerless and those who suffer unjustly, and gives new hope…I hope our visit will give you a little comfort.” The father of student Eunji (a sophomore in Class 3 at Danwon High School who was among the many lost in the tragedy) said, “There isn’t single moment when I don’t feel pain, but I’m thankful to the people who steadfastly remember our children.” Rev. Na led the group in prayer for the families, saying, “There is an ongoing struggle between those trying to remember the truth, and those trying to cover it up. God, help us to reveal the truth.”
*A yellow ribbon tied on a pine sapling at the peak of Donggeocha Island reads, “Your Mom is getting stronger.” Faintly visible in the distance is the crane being used to salvage the sunken Sewol Ferry from the sea.
Article and photos by reporter Narae Kim (narae@kmib.co.kr), from Jindo, with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
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