Since the Sewol disaster took place, Park Ji-young, a 41-year-old office worker, has made it a habit to check where emergency door-opening handles are when taking the subway. She looks for fire extinguishers and emergency exits when she enters any building. At home, she talks about how to survive different types of disasters with her two daughters who are 9 and 11 years old.
Driven by fear that the state is no longer capable of protecting its citizens, Park said she was motivated to create her own survival manual and stay cautious.
A mourner prays for the victims of sunken ferry Sewol at a memorial hall in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday, which marked the 49th day since the accident. Buddhists believe that the soul of the deceased leaves the physical world seven weeks after death. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)
“In the wake of the Sewol tragedy, I’ve realized that I should first learn how to survive and stop thinking that there will be someone else out there to protect me and save me,” she said, adding that she was struck by the Sewol crew’s irresponsible behavior in leaving nearly 500 passengers behind on the sinking ferry and Coast Guard officials’ poor initial response.
She was also disturbed by a recent arson attack on Subway No. 3 in Seoul. A 71-year-old man set a fire inside a subway car approaching Dogok Station on Line 3 in Seoul last week. The blaze was brought under control in less than six minutes by subway employees who were inside of the train at that time. No casualties were reported.
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