The tragedy of the sunken Sewol ship shocked people all over the world. The death toll amounts to over 300, and 17 remain missing. Many professional divers, the maritime police and private fishermen hurried to the scene to rescue the passengers at the risk of their own lives. Thousands of volunteers swarmed into Paengmok Port to help the families. How great they are!

The grief-stricken families have suffered so enormously that we have no adequate words to offer. Moreover, some family members have to receive serious psychiatric treatment. The aftermath of this incident has also paralyzed the country’s economy. People have lost their enthusiasm to work. As a result, all businesses seem to have come to a full stop. We should regain our motivation and return to our daily routines. It’s never wise to spend the whole year in sorrow in this way.

President Park Geun-hye is determined to restructure the government system to prevent these unfortunate incidents from taking place again. A drastic reshuffle in the government is expected to take place. Park had already accepted the prime minister’s resignation. However, what’s the use of all those new principles if people do not obey them?

Many people denounce the captain and the crew members of the Sewol ferry for abandoing ship, leaving many passengers in danger. Others blame the maritime police. The Korean Teachers & Educational Workers’ Union even demands that President Park tender her resignation.

I wonder what these denouncing people would do if another similar accident took place? Would they risk their lives to save the lives of others or run away for the sake of their own lives? What makes these people keep pouring out complaints and hanging around the Blue House holding candles at night without proposing any unique remedial measures?

Park has offered sincere apologies and dismantled the widely criticized national Coast Guard. Neither do I think this problem can be solved by Park alone. All of us citizens should be participants. Now is the time to enact more powerful principles to stick to. At the same time we need to start a campaign through which people young and old are taught and trained to help others voluntarily in times of danger or crisis with the spirit of sacrifice.

Almost 13 years have passed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks took place. Almost 3,000 people died in the attacks, including the 227 civilians and 19 hijackers aboard the four planes. It was a deadly incident for firefighters, too, as 343 firefighters and many volunteers lost their precious lives in the attacks while executing the duty and responsibility of saving others. These people provided a good example of what good government employees and citizens have to do for their neighbors in times of danger and crisis. I believe the great sacrificial spirit came from their daily home, school, religious and social education.

Well-educated, intelligent, respected and successful people commit crimes when they are unnoticed because they lack high moral and ethical standards. To be more future-oriented, we should also start to teach our children to obey the rules, laws and regulations instead of forcing them to pay excessive attention to exams to enter higher schools. Dr. Albert Schweitzer once said, “A leader is a person who shows a good example.” I also suggest adults in this nation start “a good neighbor program” through which they can habitually help those in desperate need of an SOS. It’s the parents and teachers who also have to show a good example to the children. Schools in the nation can add more lessons on morals, ethics and responsibility to society. As a result, we can expect this nation to be blessed with more good citizens with good character. Let’s stick to the principles. 

By Kim In-hwan

Kim In-hwan has taught English for the past 46 years. He holds an M.A. in applied linguistics from Columbia University in the U.S. and a Ph.D. in the English language from Daegu University in Korea. He can be reached at likebosskim@daum.net. ― Ed.