South Korea Preparing Sewol Salvage Task Force – Reports

Rescue workers operate near floats where the capsized passenger ship “Sewol” sank off Jindo. REUTERS/Issei Kato

The South Korean government is preparing a task force to examine options for salvaging the sunken Sewol ferry, according to local media reports.

The task force will comprise of government and civilian experts and will be expected to provide a technical analysis of how to best salvage the vessel, according to The Korea Herald. The task force will not include members from any salvage companies, as such organizations may lack objectivity, the report said. Work could even begin as early as next week.

The Sewol ferry sank April 16 off Jindo Island in the South Jeolla Province, killing more than 300 people.

A final decision on whether or not the ferry will even be salvaged at all has not yet been made.

The search for the nine people still missing was called off earlier this month.