President Lee Jae-myung said on the 17th in a message that he takes the nation's responsibility for the series of disasters seriously and will ensure that the same tragedies do not happen again.

President Lee Jae-myung is currently holding a moment of silence at the 'Conversation of Memory and Comfort, Healing' family meeting for victims of social disasters held at the Blue House's Guest House on the 16th. /Courtesy of the Presidential Office

In a message posted on Instagram that day, President Lee noted, "The fundamental reason for the existence of the state is to protect the lives and safety of its people," adding, "However, the state, which should be the first to reach out when the people are in crisis, has been absent too many times when it should have been present."

President Lee mentioned the April 16 Sewol ferry disaster, the October 29 Itaewon disaster, the July 15 Osong underpass disaster, and the December 29 aircraft disaster, stating, "Accidents that could have been prevented have been repeated, and we were helpless in the face of tragedies that could have been avoided. People died who should not have died, and people were injured who should not have been injured."

He continued, "I feel an infinitely heavy responsibility," and acknowledged, "I know there is no word that can comfort, but as the highest official of the state, I bow my head and deeply apologize on behalf of the government."

In addition, President Lee stated, "I will ensure that there will be no more unjust sacrifices due to the state's neglect and absence," emphasizing, "The state will never turn its back on the bereaved families living with unbearable longing and unquantifiable pain under my administration."

Earlier, President Lee held a closed-door meeting titled "Memory, Comfort, and Healing Dialogue" with the bereaved families of the Sewol, Itaewon, Osong, and aircraft disasters at the Blue House's guesthouse on the previous day (the 16th) and listened to the families' requests.

During the meeting, President Lee instructed related ministries to establish an investigation team for the Itaewon disaster, designate the Ministry of the Interior and Safety as the relevant authority for the Osong underpass disaster, and set up an organization dedicated to investigating secondary harm to the families of victims, and stated that he would consider support to treat the trauma of the bereaved families.

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.