South Korean President Promises to Raise Sunken Sewol Ferry

A Korea Coast Guard photo shows the capsized Sewol on April 16, 2014. Credit: Creatives Commons

On the one year anniversary of the Sewol ferry tragedy, South Korean President Park Guen-hye has vowed to raise the sunken ferry as soon as possible.

Speaking before a crowd at the port of Jindo, President Park Guen-hye said she will takes steps to expedite plans to salvage the ship, the clearest indication yet that the ferry will in fact be raised.

“There was a recent announcement that it would be technically possible to salvage the sunken Sewol ferry. I believe it is time to prepare in earnest for the lifting of the hull. I will expedite necessary procedures to make sure that the salvage efforts begin as soon as possible,” President Park Guen-hye said.

Her statements come of the one year anniversary of the tragedy. The ship capsized and sank April 16, 2014 off Jindo Island with the loss of 304 lives, including 250 high school students. Nine people remain missing.

In November, the South Korean government set up a task force to explore options for salvage, but would not commit to raising the ship.

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