‘The devil’s waters’: stigma from Sewol tragedy continues to haunt businesses near the site
Business owners hope that last week’s successful raising of the wreck will herald a revival for their enterprises
When South Korea’s Sewol ferry sank three years ago killing more than 300 people, it also devastated businesses close to the wreck site. Now owners hope its salvage will herald a change in their fortunes.
The ship went down in an archipelago off southwestern South Korea, whose 1,700 islands make up the Dadohaehaesang national park, the country’s largest.
Fishermen call it the devil’s water. The atmosphere is cold because so many young lives were lost
Rocky outcrops dot the waters, while bigger ones offer beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and accommodation with scenic ocean views, along with temples and seasonal festivals.
At a harbour on the southern side of Jindo, the closest large island to the wreck, motor boats used to be chartered for marine trips by fishermen and tourists. Now they lie tied to the dock and their owners sit idle nearby. Business was down by half, said captain Park Tae-il, as anglers – his main clients – avoided the area.
“Fishermen call it the devil’s water,” he said. “The atmosphere is cold because so many young lives were lost.”
The sinking is one of South Korea’s worst ever maritime accidents, and almost all the victims were schoolchildren.