Deutsche Welle, 19 May 2014
South
Korean President Park Geun-Hye has said she will disband the coastguard
following last month's Sewol ferry disaster. The president also said she takes
responsibility for the "poor response to this accident."
In a
televised address to the nation on Monday, President Park apologized for her
government's handling of the ferry disaster and underlined the failure of the
coastguard's immediate response to the tragedy. The passenger ferry capsized on
April 16, killing more than 300 people, most of them high school students.
"The
coast guard's rescue operations were virtually a failure," Park said,
adding that she has decided to dismantle the coastguard. She said its
responsibilities would be handed over to police and a newly created ministry of
national safety.
"As
the president responsible for the lives and safety of South Koreans, I offer my
sincere apology for all the suffering inflicted upon the people," Park
said.
"The
ultimate responsibility of the poor response to this accident lies with
me," she added. Park had previously formally apologized over the incident several times.
The captain
of the ferry, along with three other crew members, have been indicted on homicide charges on suspicion of abandoning the vessel as it sank. Prosecutors
also charged the defendants with failing to notify the 476 passengers to leave
the ferry.
The tragedy
has had a strong impact on the East Asian nation. The tragic loss of life has
angered many in the country who view the incident, and its handling, as a sign
of corrupt practices and negligence in the public safety sector.
The ferry
capsized while en route from the South Korean mainland to the holiday island of
Jeju. More than one month after the accident, 286 bodies have been retrieved
from the sunken vessel with 18 still unaccounted for. Some 172 people,
including 22 of the ship's 29 crew members, survived.
hc/crh (Reuters, AFP, AP)
Related Article:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.