Lee offers an apology to those affected by significant tragedies
In a significant move, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has issued a formal apology to the families of victims of four major disasters that occurred over the past decade, acknowledging the state's failure to protect its citizens and promising proper compensation.
The four incidents, collectively known as the "four major disasters of the past decade," include the Sewol ferry disaster, the Itaewon crowd crush, the Osong underground tunnel disaster, and the Muan passenger plane accident.
The Sewol ferry disaster, which took place near Jindo in South Jeolla in April 2014, resulted in the loss of 304 lives, mostly high school students. This tragedy remains one of South Korea’s deadliest peacetime disasters and a symbol of government failure and corruption.
The Itaewon crowd crush, which occurred during Halloween festivities in Seoul’s Itaewon district in October 2022, resulted in 179 deaths, sparking national outrage over crowd management and emergency response.
The Osong underground tunnel disaster, which occurred in Cheongju, North Chungcheong in July 2023, resulted in the death of 14 people due to a flash flood that trapped vehicles in an underpass.
The most recent of these incidents is the Muan passenger plane accident, which occurred following a hard landing at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla in December 2024, claiming the lives of 179 people.
President Lee’s apology, delivered at an event called “Dialogue of Memory, Comfort, and Healing” at the Blue House on July 16, 2025, emphasized the government’s duty to protect citizens and the failure of previous administrations to admit state liability or provide adequate compensation. He pledged to address these shortcomings and ensure such tragedies are not repeated due to governmental neglect.
President Lee promised to properly compensate the victims and families left behind. He stated that as the head of state, he was apologizing on behalf of the government for these avoidable disasters. He also acknowledged that some may believe the truth is still being hidden, that compensation may not have been sufficient, and that there may not have been enough apologies or words of solace.
The event, held at a former presidential complex, was attended by approximately 200 participants, including those who lost loved ones in the four major disasters mentioned. President Lee pledged to work towards ensuring that no more citizens are mistreated due to the absence of the state.
The specific measures President Lee Jae Myung plans to take to address the concerns of those affected by the disasters were not detailed in the paragraph. However, the President emphasized his commitment to preventing future tragedies and ensuring the safety and well-being of all South Korean citizens.
In light of the President's apology, there might be policy and legislation changes related to war-and-conflicts, politics, policy-and-legislation, and general-news, including an overhaul in emergency response systems, crowd management, and disaster preparedness. The government's focus will also shift towards increased transparency in disclosing the truth, providing adequate compensation, and offering solace to the affected families.
