Korea is marking one of its most solemn anniversaries on this Monday.
Four years ago today -- on April 16th, 2014 -- the Sewol-ho ferry capsized in waters off South Korea's southwestern coast, killing more than 300 people, most of whom were teenagers on a field trip.
Our Kim Hyo-sun has more on how people in Korea are remembering one of the darkest days in the nation's history.
Four years have passed since Korea witnessed its worst maritime disaster,... which claimed the lives of 304 people, mostly high school students on a field trip to Jeju Island.
In memory of the Sewol-ho ferry victims,... memorial ceremonies were held nationwide on Sunday.
At the nation's southwestern port city of Mokpo,... the ill-fated ferry lies above water,... and was open to the public for the first time.
"Marking the fourth year since the Sewol-ho disaster, we are sharing the pain with the families of the victims through this memorial ceremony. We hope this tragedy can become a stepping stone for a safer society."
People gathered to remember the victims and the tragedy.
"I feel so sad looking at the ferry up close. I hope we can make a safer nation for our children."
People also visited to the official government memorial alter at Ansan, Gyeonggi-do Province,... where the government will hold a special ceremony on Monday.
Some five-thousand people, including Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon and the victims' families, are expected to attend.
A separate memorial service will also be held in the western port city of Incheon,... where the memorial alter for non-student victims has been prepared.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.
