The Sewol Ferry Salvage Operation Will Resume This Month

Even with the expected shift in government and presidential election this year, the Sewol Ferry salvage operation will still continue. The said operation will likely to resume this month and preparations are currently underway.

In an interview with The Korea Times, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-suk said that the government has decided to continue the Sewol Ferry salvage procedure as soon as possible. This move is also for the benefit of family members of the victims who are still waiting for closure. Critics are saying that the next administration should be the one finishing the task but Kim said that he's hoping to finish the operation during his term.

The Sewol Ferry sank on April 16, 2014 and the minister promised that they will do their best to bring the vessel ashore at the end of June. The government has already tried to refloat the ship many times but they had to abort due to heavy winds and strong currents around Jindo, South Jeolla Province. The oceans minister said that divers have already linked 66 wires to 33 lifting beams under the ferry and he's confident that the salvage operation will be successful.

The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that sentenced Kim Han-sik, the president of Chonghaejin Marine Co. to a seven year prison term with charges that include manslaughter according to The Guardian. Kim is held responsible for the improper storage on the ship and failing to prevent cargo overloading which led to the sinking of the Sewol Ferry. Similar charges were filed against four Chonghaejin officials and they were sentenced to four years in prison.

When the Sewol Ferry sank in South Korea's south-west coast a total of 304 people drowned and most of them were high school students. Around 295 bodies were recovered during the rescue operation before the government stopped the search while nine people were still missing. After the maritime disaster, the oceans ministry has strengthened the role of safety officers in inspecting every sea vessel in the country.