Bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster lay flowers during a memorial ceremony held at sea near Donggeochado, off the coast of Jindo, South Jeolla Province, where the disaster occurred, on April 16. Reporter Han Soo-bin

On April 16, the 11th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, memorial events were held across Korea to honor the 304 lives lost. Citizens paid tribute to each victim, offered comfort to the bereaved families, and reaffirmed their collective hope and determination for a safer society.

The official remembrance ceremony began at 3 p.m. at Hwarang Park in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. Organized by the April 16 Foundation and the April 16 Sewol Families for Truth and A Safer Society, the event brought together not only citizens but also current and former politicians from both ruling and opposition parties.

As the names and stories of each victim were read aloud, the bereaved families could no longer hold back their tears. Citizens, many wearing yellow ribbons, the symbol of remembrance, embraced them in a show of solidarity and shared grief. At 4:16 p.m., a siren sounded in honor of the victims. Everyone bowed their heads in silence, remembering those who never returned.

The wave of remembrance continued across the country. At 4:16 p.m., the April 16 Coalition on the Sewol Ferry Disaster held a “Citizen Memorial Ceremony” at the Sewol Ferry Memorial Space in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Council building in Jung-gu, Seoul. Citizens brought yellow freesias and bouquets of baby’s breath to lay at the site. One person left a cup of iced coffee beside the flowers, saying, “Had they lived, the victims would be in their 20s now, probably hooked on coffee like so many young people.”

Ms. Park, 49, tearfully said, “It’s been 11 years, but I wanted to show that we haven’t forgotten. I came here during my lunch break to let the bereaved families know there are still people who stand with them.” Gwak Jae-in, a volunteer guardian of the memorial space, said, “I hope this gathering isn’t just about mourning, but becomes a shared promise to build a safer society. May our remembrance never stop, and may more people join us in remembering.”

A memorial ceremony was also held in front of the hull of the Sewol ferry, which remains docked at the port in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province. Before arriving at the site, the bereaved families held a memorial service at sea near Donggeochado, the area off Jindo County where the tragedy took place. There, they called out the names of the victims together with citizens who had joined them.

A separate ceremony marking the 11th anniversary was held at Incheon Family Park in Bupyeong-gu, where the remains and portraits of 44 out of 45 non-Danwon High School victims are enshrined. After laying flowers, the bereaved families and citizens participated in a ritual incense offering. The area was already covered with heartfelt messages left by visitors.

In Jeju Island, a remembrance event took place at the Sewol Ferry Jeju Memorial Hall, with many young people visiting to pay tribute. Activities such as “Making Yellow Ribbons and Yellow Tofu” were held to honor the memory of the victims. In Gwangju, a yellow memorial flag bearing the words “We Will Not Forget” was raised at City Hall. City officials visited a joint memorial altar set up in the May 18 Democratic Square early in the morning. Local artists also gathered at the square to hold a memorial performance remembering the tragedy through art.

In Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, a memorial altar and tribute booth were set up along the city’s Cultural Street. The Andong Central Art Cinema held free screenings of “10 years after the sinking, Zero-Sum” and “The Dream Songs,” two films based on the Sewol ferry tragedy.