South Korean ferry disaster raises questions about the country's relentless search for growth

By Silvia Kwon
Updated April 22 2014 - 2:08am, first published 1:19am

I write this as I watch the news unroll on Korean television of the ferry disaster off the south-western tip of South Korea. The entire half of the peninsula is in shock and a subdued mood pervades the capital, Seoul – unusual for this vibrant, non-stop city. A quiet moment of pause has crept into the consciousness of a country normally busy with getting on with its business that it rarely stops to think about the fragility of life – let alone asking itself many questions about its own identity, which this tragedy has, unexpectedly, posed.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Cessnock news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.