South Korean PM resigns over Govt response to ferry disaster

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong - won announced his resignation on 27th April, 2014 over the government response to the ferry disaster, in which it was first announced that everyone had been rescued, focusing attention on poor regulatory controls.

The Sewol ferry sank on a routine trip south from the port of Incheon to the traditional holiday island of Jeju on April 16.

More than 300 people, most of them students and teachers on a field trip from the Danwon High School on the outskirts of Seoul, have died or are missing and presumed dead.

The children on board the Sewol were told to stay put in their cabins, where they waited for further orders. The confirmed death toll was 187.

South Korea, Asia’s fourth - largest economy and one of its leading manufacturing and export powerhouses, has developed into one of the world’s most technically advanced countries, but faces criticism that regulatory controls have not kept pace.

As part of the investigation, prosecutors raided two shipping safety watchdogs and a coastguard office. They have also raided two vessel service centres, which act as maritime traffic control.

Chung’s resignation has to be approved by President Park Geun - hye, who has the most power in government.

Chung was booed and someone threw a water bottle at him when he visited grieving parents the day after the disaster.

President Park was also booed by some relatives when she visited a gym where families of the missing were staying.