Healing Wounds: President Lee Apologizes for Government Failures in Major Tragedies

President Lee Jae Myung offered a heartfelt apology to the families of victims who perished in what the presidential office has termed the four major disasters of the past decade.

In a solemn address, Lee acknowledged the shortcomings of previous administrations in accepting state responsibility for these tragic events. He pledged to provide appropriate compensation to the victims and their bereaved families.

\”As the nation’s leader, I extend a formal apology on behalf of the government for failing to fulfill our fundamental duty of safeguarding the lives and well-being of our citizens,\” Lee stated to an audience of about 200 gathered at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, the former presidential complex.

The attendees included family members who lost loved ones in several catastrophic incidents: the Sewol ferry disaster that claimed 304 lives in April 2014; the Itaewon crowd crush in Seoul that resulted in 179 fatalities in October 2022; the deadly flooding of an underpass in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, where 14 people perished in July 2023; and a devastating plane crash following a hard landing at Muan Airport in South Jeolla Province, which took 179 lives in December 2024.

\”I understand that some of you may feel the full truth has yet to be revealed. Others might believe the compensation has been inadequate. Many may think there haven’t been enough apologies or words of consolation,\” Lee acknowledged. He then affirmed, \”I am committed to ensuring that no more of our citizens suffer due to governmental negligence or absence.\”