Salvaging Sewol looms as stickler

By Kang Seung-woo

The Sewol ferry disaster is still casting a long, sad and controversial shadow with its first anniversary around the corner. The question of whether to salvage the sunken boat is now taking center stage on the political scene.

President Park Geun-hye ordered the government, Monday, to actively find ways of raising the 6,000-plus ton vessel out of the water, if it was technically possible.

Park’s remarks come on top of contrasting views from the ruling Saenuri Party and the relevant ministry.

The sinking of the ferry Sewol took place on April 16 last year off the country’s southwestern coast and left more than 300 people dead or missing, most of them were high school students on a field trip to Jeju Island. Nine people remain unaccounted for.

“Technical reviews are underway regarding refloating the hull, while relevant ministries and other government bodies are cooperatively considering the possibility, as well,” Park said during a regular meeting with her senior secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae.

“The government will collect opinions from the public as well as experts and the families of the victims on whether to bring the ship to the surface.”

President Park, who has met the families on three occasions, offered words of consolation to them, saying, “It will be the first anniversary of the tragedy in 10 days. I express my sorrow over the loss of their beloved family members.”

This is first time Park has indicated the government may raise the ferry.

“As the President made such a remark, the possibility of refloating the submerged hull has risen,” said a Cheong Wa Dae official.

Her remarks came as the families of the victim have called on the government to make a decision on the recovery of the ferry before the first anniversary.

Although the government announced compensation for the families, Friday, they demanded a withdrawal of the plan to hand out cash, claiming the salvage operations should come first. In a protest, a group of the family members shaved their heads on the same day.

In addition, public opinion is strongly in favor of salvaging the ship ahead of the first anniversary.

According to a poll by the Hankook Ilbo, released on Monday, 77.2 percent of people questioned said the government should salvage the sunken ship, while another survey by the Seoul Shinmun showed 64.3 percent supporting the idea.

Last week, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Yoo Ki-june said in a media interview that whether or not to salvage the ferry will be decided by a public-opinion survey.

However, leading officials of the Saenuri Party rejected the minister’s idea.

“It is not right to leave the decision about a salvage operation to a public poll,” Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung said after a meeting Monday.

Floor leader Yoo Seong-min also criticized the maritime minister, calling his proposal “irresponsible.”

“The government can refer to public opinions before making an important decision, but it is another matter to make such a decision based on the survey,” Yoo said.

In addition, Rep. Kim Jin-tae of the Saenuri Party is also opposed to raising the ship, citing the issues of cost and possible casualties.

The recovery process has been estimated to cost about 620 billion won ($573 million).