BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Thursday was the first day that Lee Joon-seok, the acting captain of the ferry Sewol, faced the public after the accident.
Lee is now facing overwhelming criticism since he was among the first group of people to escape the sinking vessel. Witnesses say he got on one of the initial rescue boats to arrive and was busy drying the cash in his pocket when he was safe.
South Korean law stipulates that the captain of a ship is obliged to protect passengers in times of danger. Negligence of duty can result in sentences of up to five years. Lee’s qualifications for handling the ship are also under scrutiny. As a holder of a second-class license, Lee is entitled to operate ferries of over 3000 tons.
Navigation experts however say it would have been more appropriate for a first-class license holder to operate the Sewol. The vessel of nearly 7000 tons is the biggest ferry in South Korea. Questions are also being raised about the alleged advice to passengers, to stay put on the ship when it was sinking.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
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