what happened last week in Asia, Africa and the Americas

Hey, this is Sham Jaff, your very own news curator. Each week, I highlight some of the biggest stories from regions and countries that are historically underreported in "Western media". My goal is to burst our Western-centric bubbles, and expand the view we hold of the world we share with one another. Questions, comments, concerns? You can reach me anytime by replying to this mail. And if this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can sign up at whathappenedlastweek.com.

Today in the newsletter: In Issue #377, I want to bring to your attention a preventable tragedy that happened ten years ago in South Korea, where a ferry flipped over and 304 people died. Hardly anyone has been held accountable since. I'm looking at the victims' families fight for justice today and how activism in the country has changed since. Also, it's that time of year again – our annual relationship check-in! I'm all ears and eager to hear your thoughts on the newsletter. Got any ideas for things you'd like to see more or less of? Let me know by clicking the link here to fill out a quick survey. Thanks a bunch for your feedback!

You're reading the Free version of this newsletter. However, if you sign up to become a VIP Member, you get an 80% longer email, covering many, many more countries from the "Global South" in one email. This week, next to the South Korean piece, I'm sharing my excitement for the South African elections on May 29 and give you a bit of a Who's Who so you too can join the ride. I also read a report by a UK organization that links H&M and Zara to illegal deforestation and corruption in Brazil. Plus, some new Somali TV shows about unexpected-for-the-Western-gaze topics such as women's empowerment or how-best-to-inherit-wealth, a form of really minimalist dance theater from Japan that you could also learn if you're in Berlin, London or New York City, a deep dive into one of the most recognizable voices of Egypt, Umm Kulthum, Salsa records from Curaçao and why African runners slowed down to let a Chinese competitor win at the Beijing Half Marathon. And so much more. Since I am completely self-funded and have no sponsorships, I rely on your financial support 100% to keep this newsletter going. If you want to pitch in, click here. I also have a student discount; just ask me.

10 years ago, a ferry flipped over in South Korea and 304 people died. Their families are still pushing for change today

What happened
Back on April 16, 2014, the MV Sewol ferry flipped over off the coast of Korea. Out of 476 folks on board, 304 died—including 250 high school students.

Why this matters
The disaster was one of the deadliest maritime accidents in South Korean history and had profound impacts on the nation, both socially and politically. According to experts and the victims' families, the accident was "utterly preventable" and highlighted the sloppy safety measures from the ferry company and a botched response by the Coast Guard and government. Even years later, hardly anyone's been held responsible—just one low-ranking Coast Guard member. The victims' families have since been at the forefront, pushing for justice and change.

Did you know? In a short-answer poll taken by Hankyoreh newspaper in December 2014, the Sewol disaster was voted almost as significant as the Korean War. This incident really shook the nation to its core.

Tell me more
So, picture this: it’s early in the morning, and the Sewol is set to leave port in Incheon. They’re delayed because it’s super foggy, but then they get the green light and off they go—except they were the only ship to leave that night. Now, on board, there are 443 people, including 250 high school kids excited about their field trip to Jeju Island. But then, everything goes wrong. The ferry was overloaded because someone decided to tweak it so it could carry more cargo. Then, during the journey, the ferry took a sharp turn, things went sideways, and panic ensued. What did the crew do? They bailed, leaving everyone else behind being told to stay put, which was terrible advice. Meanwhile, the rescue efforts were a mess; they just weren’t quick or effective enough.

What happened then?
Since the disaster, the victims' families have been really pushing for change. They want a full investigation and for someone to be held accountable. They've been pushing for stricter safety laws and better emergency responses to make sure this never happens again. They've also set up memorials and educational programs to keep the memory of the disaster alive and teach future generations. And politically? This disaster even played a part in the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. The families pointed out her government's failures as part of wider issues with corruption and incompetence. When a big scandal popped up involving President Park Geun-hye in 2016, it led to some of the biggest protests since the 1980s, fueled by the ongoing anger and activism from the Sewol families.

What now?
Ten years on, after two governments and three different investigative bodies, the families and their supporters are still looking for answers and accountability. The big protests might have died down, but they're still organizing, holding events, and pushing for real changes. They kicked off a 21-day march across the country, ending at the Sewol memorial in Seoul, with lots of events planned in dozens of other cities. They're even connecting their struggle with other recent tragedies, like the Itaewon Crowd Crush in 2022. The Itaewon Crowd Crush that night in Seoul claimed the lives of 159, most of them young people. For many, these were similar issues —ignored dangers, attempts at a cover-up by authorities, minimal accountability (achieved through affected families' activism) and slow emergency responses. It’s a clear sign that the same old problems are still around. Park Sung-hyun from the 4.16 Foundation put it plainly: "If responsible parties are let off the hook, we won’t see anyone committed to saving lives in other instances of disasters."

Hey, thanks for reading.

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The tragedy that deeply changed South Korea

what happened last week in Asia, Africa and the Americas

10 years ago, a ferry flipped over in South Korea and 304 people died. Their families are still pushing for change today

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