South Korea Mourns the Death of 46 Sailors
- 14 years ago
South Koreans are in mourning over the death of 46 sailors. The sea men died after their ship sank in late March near the disputed sea border with North Korea.
South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak and mourners across the country grieved over the death of 46 sailors, whose ship sank near a disputed sea border with North Korea.
A memorial altar was set up on Sunday in front of Seoul's City Hall for people to pay their respects.
President Lee Myung-bak visited the altar on Monday and gave his condolences.
Others offered flowers and wrote messages to victims and their family members.
[Kim Yong-gyu, Mourner]: (Korean male)
"As a citizen of this country, my heart is broken. It's not only one person, but 46 people. I feel so sad."
[Oh Seon-wook, Mourner]: (Korean female)
"I'm sorry. I will feel sorry for the family members for the rest of my life. I'm so sorry. I hope they feel better and feel happiness again."
The official funeral ceremony will be held on Thursday.
The naval ship snapped into half when it sank on March 26th.
This month the country's defense minister said the vessel may have been hit by a torpedo.
On Saturday, the last part of the ship was raised. The lifting of the bow of the ship is expected to provide crucial information on what actually caused the explosion that sank the ship.
On Friday, South Korea gave the clearest signal it had no plan to launch a revenge attack if it turns out that North Korea sank the vessel.
The reclusive North says it had nothing to do with the sinking of the Cheonan.
South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak and mourners across the country grieved over the death of 46 sailors, whose ship sank near a disputed sea border with North Korea.
A memorial altar was set up on Sunday in front of Seoul's City Hall for people to pay their respects.
President Lee Myung-bak visited the altar on Monday and gave his condolences.
Others offered flowers and wrote messages to victims and their family members.
[Kim Yong-gyu, Mourner]: (Korean male)
"As a citizen of this country, my heart is broken. It's not only one person, but 46 people. I feel so sad."
[Oh Seon-wook, Mourner]: (Korean female)
"I'm sorry. I will feel sorry for the family members for the rest of my life. I'm so sorry. I hope they feel better and feel happiness again."
The official funeral ceremony will be held on Thursday.
The naval ship snapped into half when it sank on March 26th.
This month the country's defense minister said the vessel may have been hit by a torpedo.
On Saturday, the last part of the ship was raised. The lifting of the bow of the ship is expected to provide crucial information on what actually caused the explosion that sank the ship.
On Friday, South Korea gave the clearest signal it had no plan to launch a revenge attack if it turns out that North Korea sank the vessel.
The reclusive North says it had nothing to do with the sinking of the Cheonan.