Entire nation pays respects to 46 Cheonan victims

The day before the first anniversary of North Korea`s sinking of the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan, some 4,500 college students held memorial events in Seoul Friday for the 46 crewmen killed in the attack.

Other people also joined the events, with one saying, “I feel reassured seeing college students volunteer to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers.”

○ Calls to stop exploiting the incident politically

“We regret that youths who should be open-minded are turning deaf ears and ignoring the suffering of the Cheonan victims. We came here to share their suffering on behalf of certain groups who seek to politically use the attack and youths who sympathized with these groups.”

This was a joint statement by seven representatives of a Cheonan memorial committee. They unanimously blasted certain forces for exploiting the incident over the past year for their political interests.

Kim Hyeong-uk from Youngsan College, president of a college student association "for a better society," said, “Those who present themselves as progressive leftist forces are still exploiting the Cheonan incident politically,” adding, “They pretend to present empirical evidence but all their claims are against science and empty talk.”

Shim Bo-ra from Myongji University in Seoul, who is also president of a "youth forum for the future," also said, “A discussion on the Cheonan incident held by the People`s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy is no different from that of a year ago.”

“When I asked if they confirmed firsthand what they said, they answered, ‘We know though we didn`t see. We saw from pictures.’” she said, adding, “I didn’t know what truth they wanted.”

The representatives said South Koreans need to enhance their sense of national security. Yoon Joo-jin from Yonsei University in Seoul, who is also president of the Korean university student forum, said, “College students tend to think that the Cheonan sinking is not their business,” adding, “I hope these memorial events will help raise youth awareness of national security.”

Kim Yi-hwan from Korea University, head of a liberal youth association, said, “Fortunately, the national security awareness of college students has been heightened in the wake of North Korea’s shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.”

They said they strived to turn memorial events into things young people can easily join. Kim Geon-woo from Catholic University, who heads a group called “New Once Again,” said, “Unlike ordinary memorial events, we paid attention to gaining sympathy from and participation of the young generation,” adding, “For this, we prepared poems, essays, music and films.”

○ Citizens join memorial events

At a memorial altar set in front of Seoul Station the same day, citizens also paid their respects to the 46 crewmen killed in the sinking and naval diver Han Joo-ho, who died while searching for survivors.

Chang Tae-ki, 65, who visited the altar after buying a train ticket, said, “I pray that the young soldiers rest in peace,” adding, “I`m really happy to see college students, who are the foundation of the country, hold such events in memory of the fallen soldiers.”

○ Crowds at Daejeon National Cemetery

Some 10,400 people visited Daejeon National Cemetery to honor the 46 crewmen. Around 1 p.m., Kang Geum-ok, the mother of the late 1st Sgt. Min Pyeong-ki, and Park Chung-ja, the mother of the late Chief Petty Officer Cho Jin-yeong, visited the cemetery and touched the tombstones of their sons in tears.

Park visits her son`s grave three or four times per week since she lives in Daejeon. She also donated Cho’s final paycheck to her son’s alma mater Chungnam Mechanical Technical High School.

“I hope no mother has to suffer like this in the future,” Park said.

Seo Hae-rim from Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, said, “I came today with my child as the cemetery will be crowded with people on the day of the first anniversary of the incident,” adding, “I’ve wanted to come here for a long time and I’ve come at last.”

1st Lieutenant Lee Yoon-seong of the 1st Naval Fleet, who came to a memorial altar at the fleet’s headquarters in Donghae, Gangwon Province, said, “I will fulfill my duty of protecting the nation’s sovereign waters to uphold the noble sacrifice of the 46 fallen crewmen,” adding, “If so, they will rest in peace.”

hjson@donga.com sun10@donga.com