“What we want is the truth of the Sewol Ferry accident” (June 11, 2014)

Statement of the EBC & the KLEF (June 11, 2014)

“What we want is the truth of the Sewol Ferry accident”

1. If the Prosecution cannot do it, we will. 

 The Prosecution concluded that the Sewol Ferry sank because of the overloading and remodeling of the ship as well as inexperienced operation of the ferry. But is this true? In the case of a ferry accident, shouldn’t you require a scientific investigation and inspection of the scene? We do not know how you could make such an announcement this quickly without taking the necessary measures. Didn’t the Prosecution take more than one year and use extra precaution while investigating the conversation records of the Inter-Korean Summit or the imprisonment of a female officer of the National Intelligence Service? The Sewol Ferry is still under the sea. The truth about sinking of the ferry lies inside the ferry.

 It would be faster for us to appeal to the power of the citizens of the Republic of Korea rather than the Prosecution that frequently lies. Earlier we announced we would offer 500 million won, which is the amount offered as a reward for the information on whereabouts of the former chairman Yoo Byung-Eun, to someone who investigates and reveals the truth of the accident. The Prosecution will use taxpayer’s precious money to come up with the reward money, but we announced we would raise the money by collecting donations from our church members. In fact, a full-scale fundraising started last week, and as of June 11, 2014, we have raised total of 200 million won. Many church members were fired from their jobs and are on the verge of getting stripped off of their basic rights to live, and because of this, we participated in fundraising with more eagerness. The only way we can live on this earth is to reveal the truth about the Sewol Ferry accident. We will raise 500 million won no matter what or how. So please, find out the truth.

2. We will hold a forum regarding clarification of truth about the Sewol ferry accident. 

 There are many people who think the cause of the sinking of the Sewol ferry is different from what the Prosecution has announced. We would like to put all of their thoughts and ideas in one place. We would like to offer a place to gather together to inquire into the truth of the Sewol Ferry accident with experts in ships and those who can make rational judgments regarding the conditions of Jindo. It will be an event that can be called “A Forum for Clarification of the Truth of the Sewol.” We will take applications, and every week we will select five people who give most logical and valid reasoning and have a discussion. 

 The first meeting will be held on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 1PM. We will hold the meeting at Gogaenuhmuh-Gomtang Seminar Room in Majeon-ri, Samjuk-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. Anyone who is interested in finding out the true cause of the sinking of the Sewol can apply, and five people who are selected to attend the forum will be provided with transportation fee and organic meal. Lastly, we will give 500 million won when the truth of the Sewol Ferry accident is verified. Please send your application to cw4508@naver.com.  We look forward to your participation. 

 We are in a situation where the Sewol Ferry has been forgotten and only Yoo Byung-Eun is present in our minds. We are going to make a right way. We will never give up on finding out the truth of the Sewol Ferry accident. This also must be the wish of the bereaved families. With our condolences to the families in mind, we will be fully engaged in every process. 

Members of the Evangelical Baptist Church and the Korean Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship