Sewol missing victims’ families hint at salvage

The bereaved families of the missing in the Sewol ferry sinking, who are currently in Jindo, South Jeolla Province, have hinted for the first time at a possible salvaging of the ferry. The families of the missing victims said, "We didn`t discuss immediate salvaging," but it is a change in their stance, which had been adamantly against pulling up the wreckage. Still, 10 passengers remain missing among victims of the sinking.

The bereaved families of the missing, who attended a news conference at Jindo county office on Thursday afternoon, said they are discussing salvaging the sunken ferry as the final resort to their search effort. Bae Eui-cheol, the legal representative to the families of the missing victims, said, “The bereaved families are with the ferry`s salvage in mind.”

However, some of the families denied they meant an immediate salvage. One family member said, "(The (sunken ferry) will be hauled up at some point in time, but it is too early for that now. Searches come first. The government said (searching) is possible, too."

Hwang In-yeol, who represents the families of the missing, said, "Important issues including ending the search for the missing or salvaging would proceed only when everyone agrees," while other family member said, "Strong opinions of one or two families could not hold back the majority opinion. This hinted that salvage could be decided by a vote.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has taken a cautious stance. "The opinions of the victims’ families are the most important. If they ask to review salvage, the review would begin," a ministry official said. "Even if the Sewol ferry’s search ends, there are procedures including technical review related to the salvage, making it difficult to immediately pull up the remains of the ship.