Justice for 304 victims: The Disaster of April 16, 2014.

Our goal is 250,000 signatures. Signing and sharing this petition would shed light on the unfair deaths of the students. Please, watch this short film taken by students inside the Sewol Ferry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkyFbcnIQV4

I am a student in South Korea. I would like to bring justice for the students who died on the tragedy of April 16th, 2014. On April 16, 2014, the Sewol Ferry was carrying 476 people, including 325 students from Danwon High School for a school trip. The ferry, during its trip, was leaning heavily towards its right. At 8:55 a.m., The ferry sent a distress signal. The ship was sinking. Until 9:38 a.m., the ferry repeated to send several distress signals. By 12:00 noon, only 50 cm of the bow was above the surface. Sewol sunk in 2 hours 30 minutes, together with 299 students.

On its trip, the Sewol was carrying 3608 tons of cargo, almost three times its limit of 987 tons. If Sewol had been carrying the recommended 2000 tons of ballast water, it may have been able to save itself. Ballast water is water stored inside the ship to maintain stability. However, Sewol reportedly pumped out hundreds of tons of ballast water in order to hold more cargo.

325 students and staff were told repeatedly to wait inside the sinking ship. And many of them followed the instructions, while the captain later abandoned the ship to save himself. Everyone had 2 hours and 30 minutes to escape from the submerging ship.

Amidst the chaos, the Korean government announcements as well as multiple news sources reported that all students have been saved. This was far from true. Throughout the day, the number of survivors doubled and halved. At one moment, reports read that 368 people have been saved. The next second, the number of rescues halved to 164 students. As a student, I could only imagine the despair and frustrations of being a parent on that day.  

An American warship was sent to assist in the rescue operation. However, the navy of South Korea did not send out an approval for the warship to participate in the rescue. Japan's coast guard also offered support, however the Coast Guard of South Korea declined the offer, claiming no special assistance was needed. 

I would like the government to conduct extensive research on why the students could not have been saved.

Why the Korean navy and coast guard decline help from Japan and the United States.

Why was Sewol allowed to leave the port despite it violating multiple safety regulations.

Why couldn't we save the lives of 304 people.

I have met some of the relatives of the victims. On the Night of December 31, 2018, parents and relatives gave out free snacks, and prepared flowers for people to leave in memory of the students. All they asked from us is that we do not forget the tragedy of April 16. 

Please, Remember. April 16.

Thank you.

If you would like to watch a short film in memorial of the students, please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i95AO0Sc2KQ

If you would like to see how people outside of South Korea see this tragedy, please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRWUBDwrGDw&t=66s