South
Korea's President apologized Monday for a ferry disaster that killed close to
300 people and said she would dismantle the country's coast guard.
"As the
President who should be responsible for people's life and security, I am
sincerely apologizing to the people for having to suffer pain," said
President Park Geun-hye. "The final responsibility for not being able to
respond properly lies on me."
The Sewol
ferry sank en route to Jeju Island on April 16, killing 286 people and leaving
18 others still missing. Most of the passengers were students on a school field
trip.
"After
serious consideration, I've decided to dismantle the coast guard. The
investigation and information roles will be transferred to the police while the
rescue and salvage operation and ocean security roles will be transferred to
the department for national safety which will be newly established," the
President said. Between tears, she proposed building a monument to the victims
and setting aside April 16 as a day to focus on safety.
"I,
again, pray for those who passed away during the incident and express my deep
condolence to the families," Park said.
The Sewol
disaster caused widespread outrage in South Korea over lax safety standards and
the failure to rescue more people as the ship foundered. A chief prosecutor
announced last week that the captain and three other crew members have been
charged with murder. The remaining 11 crew members have been indicted on
charges of abandonment and violating a ship safety act. Investigators are
looking at the overloading, the failure to secure cargo properly, the imbalance
of weight on the ferry and a sudden turn on the ferry as possible reasons for
the Sewol's sinking.
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