The South Korean National Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution calling for the recovery of a ferry that capsized last year killing over 300 people, as the country marks the first anniversary of the disaster.
The 6,825-tonne ferry, Sewol, sank off the country’s southwestern coast near the island of Jindo on April 16 en route to the southern resort island of Jeju.
As many as 304 people, mostly students on a field trip, have been confirmed dead, while nine remain untraced so for. A total of 157 survived.
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The resolution was passed with 161 votes in favour, two votes against and two abstentions, Yonhap News Agency reported.
“Setting aside cost issues, the recovery of the ferry Sewol is the path toward healing the minds of the victims, survivors and bereaved families who suffered pain from the sinking as well as those of all the citizens,” the parliamentary resolution read.
“The government should come up with a complete plan for the recovery and begin the work as soon as possible.”
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The resolution also demanded that the salvage work be carried out in a way that helps find the fundamental cause of the accident and recover the bodies of the nine people who remain missing from the maritime accident.
A previous feasibility study by the maritime ministry has shown that the physical recovery of the submerged vessel may be technically possible but it is yet to be decided whether to actually salvage the ship.
The Ministry has said the recovery cost may go up to 550 billion won ($505 million).