The annual Ansan Valley Rock Festival, formerly known as the Jisan Valley Rock Festival, has been cancelled this year amid the nation’s grief over the lives lost in the Sewol ferry sinking.

The three-day fest relocated its stages to the Daebu Sea Breeze Theme Park in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province last year.

The 2014 edition of the rock festival was originally scheduled for July 25-27.

Most of the victims in the tragedy were students from Ansan’s Danwon High School. As of Thursday morning, more than 160 Sewol passengers have been pronounced dead and around 140 remain missing.

“Our nation is in a time of grieving, it is unjustifiable for us to hold a festival; especially considering the relocation of the festival starting last year,” said Ahn Suk-joon, CJ E&M’s Music Department chairman. “It is true that our festival’s brand will take a big blow by skipping a year. However, that loss cannot even be compared to the weight of our citizens’ heartbreak and that takes priority.”

The rock festival is one of the nation’s biggest and most anticipated summer music events ― with last year’s festival drawing in more than 50,000 national and international concert goers ― and in the past has brought in big-time global acts to its stage including Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, Muse and much more.

“I offer my sincerest apologies for those who look forward to our festival every year. We are still waiting for a miracle. I pray for the safe return of the missing passengers,” Ahn added. “Please look forward to our return next year.”

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)