hankyoreh

Sept. 2. They had attempted to march to the Blue House to present a petition with 4.85 million signatures calling for the truth about the Sewol tragedy to be revealed

“When the Sewol families demand a special prosecutor, what they’re really saying is that they want to investigate us and the Blue House, right?” Joo Ho-young, policy committee chief for the Saenuri Party (NFP) was speaking during the third meeting between floor leaders of the Saenuri Party and representatives from the Sewol Victims’ Family Committee. The talks, which were held on Sep. 1, broke down after just thirty minutes.

No comment has shown the ruling party’s true attitude in the negotiations over the special Sewol Law as clearly as this one. This single sentence articulates why progress toward passing the law has been so slow, as well as which side is truly to blame.

As the deadlock over the special Sewol Law continues, certain segments of South Korean society are criticizing the bereaved families for demanding too much. They scold the families for their lack of trust and even urge them to just give the government and the Saenuri Party a chance.

But the remark by the Saenuri Party’s chief of policy confirmed that there is a legitimate reason for this mistrust. On a superficial level, the dispute over passing the special Sewol Law has to do with the judiciary, but the crux of the issue is the fact that the Blue House and the Saenuri Party are trying to avoid being investigated.

At this juncture, we have a question for the Saenuri Party: is there any reason why the ruling party and the Blue House should not be investigated? Carrying out an investigation where nothing is sacred is undeniably the right course of action. If there is anyone who does not agree that we should carry out a meticulous investigation into the causes and actions that dragged our precious sons and daughters beneath the waves before our very eyes, they are not a real citizen of this country. But rather than pushing for an investigation that treats nothing as sacred, the Saenuri Party’s current motivation in the negotiations for the special Sewol Law is to repaint the lines marking what is out of bounds.

If that is the Saenuri Party’s genuine motivation, they should at least not pretend that the deadlock over the special Sewol Law is being caused by inappropriate political intentions of the bereaved families. If we are going to talk about political intentions, it is the Saenuri Party that is being too political, as it is considering little else than the political fallout for itself and the Blue House.

In fact, it would be quite simple to clear up the chaos surrounding the special Sewol Law. If President Park would come forward and declare that she and everyone else in the government connected with the tragedy would submit to an investigation regardless of their rank and position, it would all be wrapped up easily.

As the highest leader of a country - and as a president who feels responsible for a national disaster of this magnitude - it is only right for Park to act with this kind of magnanimity. Such a declaration would do more than simply clearing the way for legislating the special Sewol Law. It would also be an excellent opportunity to lead South Korean society to the next stage of harmony and unity.

But it is pointless to even expect this sort of thing from President Park Geun-hye. After instructing the Saenuri Party to run interference for her, Park has remained silent. During the video cabinet meeting that took place on Sept. 2, she did not make a single mention of the special Sewol Law.

There is not much time left before Chuseok, Korea’s harvest festival and most important holiday. Despite this, there are hardly any signs that the Blue House and the Saenuri Party will have a change of heart. We already feel a heavy sense of gloom that this is going to be the most depressing Chuseok ever.

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]