S.Korea decides to salvage Sewol ferry, field works to start in September

The South Korean government made a final decision Wednesday to salvage the Sewol ferry from the waters off Jindo Island in the country's southwest coast, with field works slated to kick off as early as in September.

The decision was made in the government complex in central Seoul during a meeting of the central management headquarters for disaster and safety composed of 17 government ministries and agencies.

Under the decision, the headquarters will immediately launch a process of selecting private companies, which will help recover the passenger vessel to the surface.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in charge of maritime affairs will start on-site works as early as in September while making preparations for the salvaging of the ship.

The salvaging of the ship was one of the two major demands from the victims and bereaved families. The victims also have called for independent investigation into the country's worst maritime disaster.

On April 16, 2014, the 6,825-ton ferry Sewol capsized and sank off Jindo Island in the country's southwest, leaving 295 dead and nine still missing.

Among 476 passengers aboard the ill-fated vessel were 325 students of Danwon High School on a school trip to Jeju Island. Among them, only 75 students survived.