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South Korea Sewol trial: Relatives angry at verdict South Korea Sewol ferry trial: Relatives angry at verdict
(35 minutes later)
A verdict of negligence rather than homicide on three senior officers of a South Korean ferry that sank in April killing more than 300 has angered many victims' relatives as too lenient.A verdict of negligence rather than homicide on three senior officers of a South Korean ferry that sank in April killing more than 300 has angered many victims' relatives as too lenient.
"Do you know how many children are dead?" one shouted during sentencing."Do you know how many children are dead?" one shouted during sentencing.
The Sewol's captain, Lee Joon-seok, was jailed for 36 years. The other senior officers were given 15 and 20 years.The Sewol's captain, Lee Joon-seok, was jailed for 36 years. The other senior officers were given 15 and 20 years.
The chief engineer was convicted of homicide - for abandoning two injured colleagues - and given 30 years.The chief engineer was convicted of homicide - for abandoning two injured colleagues - and given 30 years.
Some relatives demanded the prosecution appeal against the verdicts on all 15 crew members on trial.Some relatives demanded the prosecution appeal against the verdicts on all 15 crew members on trial.
The Sewol was carrying 476 people when it went down on 16 April. A total of 295 bodies have been retrieved. Nine people remain unaccounted for but the search has now been called off. Most of the dead were school students.The Sewol was carrying 476 people when it went down on 16 April. A total of 295 bodies have been retrieved. Nine people remain unaccounted for but the search has now been called off. Most of the dead were school students.
'This is not right''This is not right'
Prosecutors had charged Capt Lee with homicide and had called for the death penalty, but judges acquitted him of that charge.Prosecutors had charged Capt Lee with homicide and had called for the death penalty, but judges acquitted him of that charge.
Lee, 69, accepted in court that he would spend the rest of his days in jail.Lee, 69, accepted in court that he would spend the rest of his days in jail.
The judges said that Lee was clearly not the only person responsible for the tragedy and they accepted that his negligence did not amount to an intent to kill.The judges said that Lee was clearly not the only person responsible for the tragedy and they accepted that his negligence did not amount to an intent to kill.
Stephen Evans, BBC News, GwangjuStephen Evans, BBC News, Gwangju
Some of the bereaved families in court had wanted the verdict to be murder as a mark of the seriousness of the negligence committed by the people in charge of the ship.Some of the bereaved families in court had wanted the verdict to be murder as a mark of the seriousness of the negligence committed by the people in charge of the ship.
One bereaved father said after the judgement that he was 30 years old, and that if he had to wait 30 years for the guilty ship's officers to come out of jail, he would - and he would go after them.One bereaved father said after the judgement that he was 30 years old, and that if he had to wait 30 years for the guilty ship's officers to come out of jail, he would - and he would go after them.
The case has been the focus of wider anger. The man who will never face trial is the owner of the company.The case has been the focus of wider anger. The man who will never face trial is the owner of the company.
The Sewol had been altered to take more cargo and in the process been made less stable. As the authorities pursued him, the chairman of the operating company, Yoo byung-eun, fled and was later found dead in a field.The Sewol had been altered to take more cargo and in the process been made less stable. As the authorities pursued him, the chairman of the operating company, Yoo byung-eun, fled and was later found dead in a field.
The two other senior officers were similarly acquitted of homicide.The two other senior officers were similarly acquitted of homicide.
There were cries of anguish among relatives as the verdicts were announced.There were cries of anguish among relatives as the verdicts were announced.
"Judge, this is not right," one woman screamed."Judge, this is not right," one woman screamed.
"Is this how little the lives of our children were worth?" another shouted. "The death sentence is not enough for the crew.""Is this how little the lives of our children were worth?" another shouted. "The death sentence is not enough for the crew."
Outside court, Park Jong-dae, a father of one of the students who died, demanded an appeal by prosecutors.Outside court, Park Jong-dae, a father of one of the students who died, demanded an appeal by prosecutors.
Mr Park said: "I want to say sorry to the children, and I want to promise them that we will strengthen our resolve until we reveal the truth."Mr Park said: "I want to say sorry to the children, and I want to promise them that we will strengthen our resolve until we reveal the truth."
One prosecutor told Reuters news agency that his team would appeal against the verdicts, which he called "disappointing", but senior prosecutor Park Jae-eok said his office had not yet made a decision.One prosecutor told Reuters news agency that his team would appeal against the verdicts, which he called "disappointing", but senior prosecutor Park Jae-eok said his office had not yet made a decision.
Ko Young-hee, the mother of a teenage victim, told Associated Press: "We will do whatever it takes to make sure that the crew members who abandoned our children, escaped, ran away and thought only of their own lives, pay for their crimes."Ko Young-hee, the mother of a teenage victim, told Associated Press: "We will do whatever it takes to make sure that the crew members who abandoned our children, escaped, ran away and thought only of their own lives, pay for their crimes."
Separate trialSeparate trial
The disaster was blamed on a combination of illegal redesigns, the overloading of cargo and the inexperience of the crew member steering the vessel.The disaster was blamed on a combination of illegal redesigns, the overloading of cargo and the inexperience of the crew member steering the vessel.
Crew members did not secure cargo which moved when the vessel took a tight corner, toppling the ferry, and Lee was filmed leaving the sinking ship while many passengers remained inside.Crew members did not secure cargo which moved when the vessel took a tight corner, toppling the ferry, and Lee was filmed leaving the sinking ship while many passengers remained inside.
Lee has said he committed a crime for which he deserved to die and has apologised for abandoning passengers - but he denied that he had intended to sacrifice their lives and asked not to be branded a murderer.Lee has said he committed a crime for which he deserved to die and has apologised for abandoning passengers - but he denied that he had intended to sacrifice their lives and asked not to be branded a murderer.
The chief engineer, Park Ki-ho, was found guilty of murder. He left the ferry and failed to inform rescuers of the injured colleagues, though he knew they would die without help.The chief engineer, Park Ki-ho, was found guilty of murder. He left the ferry and failed to inform rescuers of the injured colleagues, though he knew they would die without help.
The 13 other crew members were given jail sentences of up to 20 years on charges including abandonment and violating maritime law.The 13 other crew members were given jail sentences of up to 20 years on charges including abandonment and violating maritime law.
The disaster triggered nationwide grief followed by outrage, and led to severe criticism of safety standards and of the government's handling of the rescue operation.The disaster triggered nationwide grief followed by outrage, and led to severe criticism of safety standards and of the government's handling of the rescue operation.
A separate trial is taking place for employees of the firm that operated the ferry, Chonghaejin Marine Co.A separate trial is taking place for employees of the firm that operated the ferry, Chonghaejin Marine Co.
The owner of the company and billionaire businessman Yoo Byung-eun disappeared after the disaster and was later found dead.The owner of the company and billionaire businessman Yoo Byung-eun disappeared after the disaster and was later found dead.
Sewol victimsSewol victims