Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Permanently Preserve 'Sewolho' at Mokpo New Port Hinterland

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[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 18th that it has supplemented and finalized the "Sewol Ferry Hull Preservation and Disposal Plan" established by the Sewol Ferry Hull Investigation Committee in accordance with the "Special Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Sewol Ferry Hull Investigation Committee," and has finalized the permanent hull storage location as the rear site of Mokpo New Port.

In 2018, the Investigation Committee resolved to construct a provisional "Sewol Ferry Life Memory Hall (preservation of the damaged hull in its original form and creation of a complex hall)" in the Mokpo New Port area to be used as a space for memorial, remembrance, and education. However, the decision on the actual hull storage location was deferred considering the families' position that "discussion is needed after the cause of the accident is determined."

Accordingly, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries finalized the storage location as the rear site of Mokpo New Port after consultations with related agencies based on the opinions of the Sewol Ferry victims' family groups and the results of a survey of Mokpo citizens conducted by the local government, Mokpo City. On June 29 of this year, the Sewol Ferry victims' family groups notified the Ministry that they most preferred the rear site of Mokpo New Port as the hull storage location, and on July 24, Mokpo City informed the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of its own survey results showing that 74% of citizens support the Sewol Ferry storage in Mokpo. The Sewol Ferry was salvaged in 2017 and moved to Mokpo New Port in March of the same year, and it has been temporarily stored at the new port since then.

Cho Seung-woo, head of the Sewol Ferry Follow-up Measures Promotion Team, said, "With the hull storage location finalized, we plan to apply for an exemption from the preliminary feasibility study for the 'Hull Preservation and Disposal Plan' to the budget authorities in August, and aim for final storage in 2027. We will review the appropriateness of the project plan including mid- to long-term financial requirements and start the project in the first half of 2021." He added, "The Sewol Ferry Life Memory Hall will be the world's only case of preserving a civilian ferry passenger ship in its original form to be used as a memorial and educational space."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.