South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won bows to the nation after offering his resignation at a news conference. Photo via Associated Press
The prime minister of South Korea is stepping down from his post after the Sewol ferry sinking that left more than 300 dead or missing.
Chung Hong-won announced his resignation Sunday on national television, apologizing on behalf of the government for everything from the prevention of the accident to the early handling of the disaster.
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“I should take responsibility for everything as the prime minister, but the government can assume no more,” Chung said. “So I will resign as prime minister.”
The resignation appears to be a symbolic one, as South Korean executive power is largely concentrated in the president. Parents of one missing ferry passenger called the move “meaningless,” telling CNNthat Chung “doesn’t want to take responsibility for this mess.” If President Park Geun-hye were to resign, the mother said, “that might actually do something.”
Confusion, finger-pointing and fury still surround the circumstances of the April 16 tragedy. Families of the victims are outraged at the government over what they believe was a disorganized rescue operation, citing the lag in evacuation orders, poor cargo storage, a lack of emergency training in civil servants and other mishandlings. If no survivors are found, the disaster will be South Korea’s deadliest ferry sinking since 1970 and the deadliest maritime accident ever sustained by a nation belonging to the OECD.
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