Ten classrooms at Danwon High School were spontaneously transformed into memorial sites during the Sewol Ferry Tragedy on April 16, 2014, when the lives of 250 students and 12 teachers (nearly its entire second year class) were lost off the coast of Donggeochado. Overnight these classrooms became sacred spaces acting as repositories of memory, a connection to the dead. Amidst debate of what should be done to preserve the memorials, a controversial attempt to forcibly clear out and remodel the classrooms was made almost immediately after the 2nd year anniversary of the tragedy. For several days family members occupied the school grounds until an extension was granted to access the classrooms for a few more weekends. In August of 2016, the school resumed renovations and removal of all memorial items. Powerless against the forces that be, these families say they’re losing their children and loved ones for a second time.
