Ferry disaster's anniversary

Clarify truth and punish those responsible before it's too late

The nation marked the sixth anniversary of the tragic sinking of the ferry Sewol, Thursday. Koreans still vividly remember how powerless they felt watching 304 precious lives perish under the cold sea as if the incident happened a few days ago; but six years have passed since then.

Most of the victims were young students, just like budding flowers that had yet to blossom. Bereaved families are still making ardent appeals, but the truth of the tragic events has not been appropriately investigated, and those responsible remain unpunished. It is frustrating, indeed to see this society show few signs of genuine self-reflection.

Sadly, and surprisingly, there are even moves to cover up the truth behind the disaster. The run-up to Wednesday's general election was no exception. A candidate from the conservative opposition party insulted bereaved family members with unmentionable words. To the relief of most people, he faced the stern judgment of voters. Another candidate from the same party lost his seat after some of his campaign workers destroyed banners memorializing the ferry disaster. The continuous occurrences of these nonsensical practices are due to the delayed investigation and the imposition of due punishment.

The prosecution began to reinvestigate the case last November, vowing to leave no stone unturned. Still, it has failed to produce any tangible results so far. Now that the elections are over, its investigators should roll up their sleeves and swiftly resume their probe without leaving any sanctuary for the guilty. The prosecution's recent raid on the Presidential Archives related to the suspicion of the systematic sabotaging of investigation

s during the former Park Geun-hye administration heightens our expectations in this regard.

The statute of limitations on punishing people responsible for the disastrous ferry sinking is seven years, meaning the prosecution has only one left. After wasting six years, that doesn't seem to be a long period. This will be their last opportunity to put an end to the controversy over the tragic accident. A society that fails to learn from its past mistakes is bound to repeat them. The efforts to resolve the ferry disaster should not be another bone of partisan contention but a landmark to create a safer community.