Park Geun-hye vowed to carry out the operation at the earliest possible date.
Amid tight security and loud protests, S Korean President Park visits pier in Jindo on Sewol anniversary pic.twitter.com/PJbgqk2NuI
— Jack Board (@JackBoard) 16 апреля 2015
Relatives of #sewol victims don't want to hear pres Park guen hye's lies. They left Jindo port, leaving empty seats pic.twitter.com/02C2OjKVXi
— Byung Taek Jeonㅣ뉴스프로 (@metempirics) 16 апреля 2015
The South Korean leader made the announcement during a short visit to Jindo, the island closest to the sinking site. She also planned to pay respects at an altar in the harbor but relatives blocked access to the area.
Balloons released in memory of the victims of #Sewol, one year on in Jindo pic.twitter.com/Nc6To3ggsw
— Jack Board (@JackBoard) 16 апреля 2015
The operation to raise the vessel will cost approximately $110 million. The Sewol ferry was en route to the Jeju island and was carrying 476 passengers. The tragedy left 304 people dead, including 250 schoolchildren from a high school in the city of Ansan.
Portraits of teenagers killed in #sewol ferry disaster a year ago, displayed at joint memorial hall in Ansan. pic.twitter.com/9unP4kkbb4
— Hawon Jung (@allyjung) 16 апреля 2015
The investigation presumes that the incident was caused by the vessel turning sharply, which led to its cargo shifting. The crew failed to restore the balance of the heavy cargo, which exceeded the recommended limit by more than threefold.