A Discussion with Se Bok Oh, Christian Pastor, Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, South Korea
With: Se Bok Oh Berkley Center Profile
May 27, 2015
Background: As part of
the Education and Social Justice Project, in May 2015 undergraduate student
Dana Drecksel interviewed Se Bok Oh, a Christian pastor serving at the Sewol
Ferry memorial in Gwanghwamun Square. In this interview, Pastor Se Bok Oh
discusses the Sewol Ferry tragedy and his role in comforting and educating the
memorial’s visitors.
Do you want to
just start off by saying, in your own words, what happened with the Sewol Ferry
tragedy?
This is the protest for the ferry that sank in April 2014. We are protesting here because we want to recover the Sewol Ferry. Their families, they cannot sustain without bringing every last person home. Our government needs to help, needs to recover the Sewol Ferry. Our government said to the families that they will do that; they will recover the Sewol Ferry. But that costs lots of money, to get the ferry. So their families, and the Korean people lost in the Sewol Ferry…this is about the recovery for the Korean people. So we are trying to recover the Sewol Ferry and bring back the last missing person. Until we bring back the last missing person, this is the spot for protest.
Yes, it is tragic that there are people still missing. I heard that it has been about 400 days since the Sewol Ferry sank.
Yes, it has been 403 days since the Sewol Ferry sank.
When did you all first come out to Gwanghamun Square?
We came out one year ago—last year about now.
Do you want to talk a little bit about what your purpose for being out here in Gwanghamun Square, in the middle of the government’s district in South Korea?
We are collecting signatures, so the government will listen to what we want to do. Right now they will not listen. I think that lots of the problem is here; we cannot understand the government. So this is our asking, trying to make a difference. Yes. Our mission is to bring back the last missing person. But they don’t care. They don’t answer. Nine persons are still missing.
And tell me a little bit about your background. How did you come to be involved with the protest?
I’m a pastor, a Christian pastor. We serve the people; we serve the families. We give them coffee and other things.
That’s fantastic. Can you comment a little bit about the religious groups, such as yourself, who are here in Gwanghamun Square?
Christians—private Christians—Buddhists, and Catholics… yes, there are three religions here. I am a private Christian.
And you have come together; that’s so great. So what other sorts of things do you all do down here in Gwanghamun Square to raise awareness?
We give out the ribbons. The Catholic group makes the ribbons. Then there is a place for remembrance.
Yes, are those the pictures of the people who were lost?
Yes, those are the pictures—for the families.
So I have been staying at Sogang University. I was wondering if you have noticed if any students have gotten involved with your efforts here in Gwanghamun Square?
Yes, about 20 through 40 university students from schools have come to promote the justice.
That’s fantastic. Are they from around here?
I don’t know…Seoul University, I think.
Oh, okay. Well, do you have anything else you want to add?
No… just that we want to bring home the last missing person. For the families.
Yes, that must be so tough. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me!
This is the protest for the ferry that sank in April 2014. We are protesting here because we want to recover the Sewol Ferry. Their families, they cannot sustain without bringing every last person home. Our government needs to help, needs to recover the Sewol Ferry. Our government said to the families that they will do that; they will recover the Sewol Ferry. But that costs lots of money, to get the ferry. So their families, and the Korean people lost in the Sewol Ferry…this is about the recovery for the Korean people. So we are trying to recover the Sewol Ferry and bring back the last missing person. Until we bring back the last missing person, this is the spot for protest.
Yes, it is tragic that there are people still missing. I heard that it has been about 400 days since the Sewol Ferry sank.
Yes, it has been 403 days since the Sewol Ferry sank.
When did you all first come out to Gwanghamun Square?
We came out one year ago—last year about now.
Do you want to talk a little bit about what your purpose for being out here in Gwanghamun Square, in the middle of the government’s district in South Korea?
We are collecting signatures, so the government will listen to what we want to do. Right now they will not listen. I think that lots of the problem is here; we cannot understand the government. So this is our asking, trying to make a difference. Yes. Our mission is to bring back the last missing person. But they don’t care. They don’t answer. Nine persons are still missing.
And tell me a little bit about your background. How did you come to be involved with the protest?
I’m a pastor, a Christian pastor. We serve the people; we serve the families. We give them coffee and other things.
That’s fantastic. Can you comment a little bit about the religious groups, such as yourself, who are here in Gwanghamun Square?
Christians—private Christians—Buddhists, and Catholics… yes, there are three religions here. I am a private Christian.
And you have come together; that’s so great. So what other sorts of things do you all do down here in Gwanghamun Square to raise awareness?
We give out the ribbons. The Catholic group makes the ribbons. Then there is a place for remembrance.
Yes, are those the pictures of the people who were lost?
Yes, those are the pictures—for the families.
So I have been staying at Sogang University. I was wondering if you have noticed if any students have gotten involved with your efforts here in Gwanghamun Square?
Yes, about 20 through 40 university students from schools have come to promote the justice.
That’s fantastic. Are they from around here?
I don’t know…Seoul University, I think.
Oh, okay. Well, do you have anything else you want to add?
No… just that we want to bring home the last missing person. For the families.
Yes, that must be so tough. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me!
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