[Photo] Remembering the Sewol tragedy four years later

Citizens tie yellow ribbons at a memorial honoring the Sewol ferry victims at Paengmok Harbor on the island of Jindo on Apr. 15. (by Baek So-ah, staff photographer)

Four years after the sinking of the Sewol sinking on Apr. 16, 2014, yellow ribbons were tied around a railing at Paengmok Harbor on the island of Jindo, South Jeolla Province. The Sewol sank off the coast of Jindo, killing 304 people, mostly students from Danwon High School in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province who were on a school trip to Jeju Island. An investigation by the Korean Coast Guard found the cause of the accident to be a, “unreasonably sudden turn,” ordered by the ship’s third mate, who had been left in charge by the captain.

The ship had also been overloaded with containers, exceeding the safety limit, and contained insufficient ballast water, making it more prone to capsizing. (by Baek So-ah, staff photographer)

Lee Jong-cheol, the father of Sewol victim Lee Min-woo, ties a ribbon on the railing at Paengmok Harbor on the island of Jindo on Apr. 15. Lee was a leader in the demonstrations organized in Gwanghwamun Plaza following the accident to call for a thorough investigation into the cause of the sinking. (by Baek So-ah, staff photographer)

Shoes left by the mother of Park Young-in, a Sewol ferry victim, along with a letter saying, “Don’t forget April 16th.” (by Baek So-ah, staff photographer)

Visitors look at the remains of the Sewol ferry, which is on display at the New Harbor in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, on Apr. 15. (by Baek So-ah, staff photographer)

Citizens hold a memorial ceremony for the Sewol ferry victims at the New Harbor in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, on Apr. 15. (by Baek So-ah, staff photographer)