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By Chung Hyun-chae
A growing number of college students, frustrated by the government's poor handling of the Sewol disaster, are taking to the streets to participate in rallies.
Student council leaders say they will hold joint rallies in Seoul and other big cities nationwide to demand a thorough investigation into the April 16 sinking of the ferry. They are also asking that President Park Geun-hye be held responsible for the tragedy.
On Thursday, about 500 students from 22 universities marched from Marronnier Park in Hyehwa-dong to Bosingak near the presidential office in Seoul. The march continued into the night.
"I felt something in my mind when listening to the bereaved families expressing their anger and frustration," Lhim Seung-heon, 22, head of Kyonggi University's student council, told The Korea Times. "They asked people not to forget the tragedy. I thought college students must do something as well. That's why I called for action to other students,"
During the march, the students held picket signs that read "Bring back the victims," and "Take full responsibility, President Park."
"I feel frustrated (and) furious about the disaster," said Im Won-bin, a 20-year-old economics major who participated in the march.
The students said they will continue taking to the streets until their demands are met.
Some called for sincere apology from Cheong Wa Dae and the Coast Guard about the disaster, insisting that the way they have responded to the ship sinking has made them angry.
"I would say we will continue this until our demand is met," said Seok Ja-eon, 23, council leader of Duksung Women's University.
The student leaders will hold a meeting on May 21 to discuss ways to attract more students and citizens to their rallies.
"Aside from the street march or rally, our school suggested to hold a discussion meetings and to arrange some lectures for the students related to Sewol the accident. Further details will be decided at the next meeting," Seok said, adding that what's most important is that there is not a similar tragedy in the future.
Lhim from Kyonggi University said, "No matter what forms our gatherings take, we will continue our activities. And I hope more college students will be a party to our movement."
