Sewol Survivors: Trauma Lingers 12 Years After Disaster

Twelve years have passed since the Sewol disaster, but the deep emotional scars of those who survived the accident continue to linger. Last year, a court ruling acknowledged the state's responsibility for 'disaster trauma.'

Han Seung-seok, who boarded the Sewol 12 years ago, still experiences nightmares whenever he takes a ship. He recalled being unable to sleep on board, which made long-distance driving impossible. Oh Yong-seon, another survivor, experiences hallucinations every time he sits in the driver's seat, making long-distance night drives difficult.

Most Sewol survivors received compensation and damages shortly after the disaster, but in many cases, their trauma did not disappear over time or emerged later. Some survivors filed lawsuits against the state for damages in 2021. Late last year, the court ruled in favor of the survivors, stating that experiencing post-traumatic symptoms for 11 years was not their fault. Participating in the lawsuit was not an easy process for survivors who had to focus on earning a living every day. The government's decision on whether to re-examine compensation and damages for their trauma is expected by the end of this month.