Sunday, May 18, 2014

South Korean President Dismantles Coast Guard

Chandler Olah

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/18/world/asia/south-korea-coast-guard/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

The president of South Korea plans on dismantling the Coast Guard after she feels it didn't take the proper steps in formulating a rescue mission for the ferry that sunk on the morning of April 16th. The sinking caused the the deaths of 286 people and while 18 others are still missing. The president publicly stated that the Coast Guard failed to due it's duty in carrying out the rescue mission. The responsibilities previously held by the coast guard 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 felt that she was responsible for what happened to the people involved and sent her condolences while under tears during her speech to the people of South Korea.  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.



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