Lost But Never Forgotten
Below are a collection of memories from those who live on.
Lee Hye-kyung found her teenage son’s body a little more than two weeks after a South Korean ferry that was carrying him and more than 400 people sank off of the southern coast of the country. The ferry, “Sewol,” went down with more than 300 people, including 250 high school students.
Even after almost 8 years, the traumatized country is still trying to cope with the enduring scar of the April 16, 2014, disaster. Many grieving parents and relatives of the young victims kept their kids’ rooms just as they had left it, unable to move on from the traces and memories of their beloved.
“Hyeon-tak’s body was discovered on May 1, 2014. How could I say even a word in front of such a deep sorrow? I don’t have any passion for my life. I raised him with all my heart. Hyeon-tak, thank you for the life you spent with me.” — Lee Hye-kyung, mother of Jeon Hyeon-tak
“Before the accident, my family talked a lot. Now we save our words, trying not to hurt each other. I am eager to see Hwi-beom just once. I wish I could hug him.” — Shin Jum-ja, mother of Jung Hwi-beom
“Spring has come and flowers are blossoming, but moms cannot smile. I hope the children who are still missing will be found … I wish I could bring back my daughter. The world after the tragedy is not the place that I had known.” — Lee Sun-mi, mother of Kim Ju-hee
