Kim Seok-gyun, Former Coast Guard Chief, Sentenced to 5 Years Imprisonment for Sewol Ferry Rescue Failure

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The prosecution has requested a prison sentence for former Coast Guard Commissioner Kim Seok-gyun, who was prosecuted for failing to take proper initial measures during the Sewol ferry disaster, resulting in the deaths of passengers.

On the 11th, at the sentencing hearing of Kim and 10 others held before the 22nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Yang Cheol-han), the prosecution asked the court to "sentence defendant Kim Seok-gyun to the maximum penalty prescribed by law, which is five years in prison."

The prosecution criticized Kim, stating, "As the head of the Coast Guard and the Central Rescue Headquarters, he bore ultimate responsibility but evaded it, resulting in a grave outcome where 304 passengers, including students on board, died while waiting for the Coast Guard's rescue."

In his final statement, former Commissioner Kim expressed, "As the person responsible for safety at sea, I deeply apologize and offer my condolences once again to the bereaved families and the public for failing to prevent this tragic accident."

He added, "Looking back at this moment, there are many regrets and shortcomings, but I want to emphasize that Coast Guard personnel made every effort to rescue as many people as possible under urgent circumstances."

Kim’s defense attorney argued for acquittal, stating, "There can be no definitive answer for rescue and relief efforts at all disaster sites." He continued, "This case is similar to the Jecheon Sports Center fire disaster, yet the prosecution did not indict those involved in that incident. We cannot help but ask how that case fundamentally differs from this one."

Additionally, the prosecution sought a four-year prison sentence for former West Sea Maritime Police Commissioner Kim Soo-hyun, four years and six months imprisonment for former Mokpo Maritime Police Station Chief Kim Moon-hong, and three years and six months in prison for former Coast Guard Deputy Commissioner Choi Sang-hwan.

Former Coast Guard Safety and Security Bureau Director Lee Chun-jae, Jeju Regional Maritime Police Commissioner Yeo In-tae, and former West Sea Maritime Police Situation Officer Yoo Yeon-sik were each sentenced to between three and four years in prison. Other Coast Guard officials indicted alongside them faced prison terms ranging from one to three years.

Families of two Danwon High School students who died in the Sewol disaster appeared in court that day, urging strict punishment for the Coast Guard officials. One victim’s mother criticized the officials, saying, "It must be recognized as a clear act of murder beyond mere negligence."

Kim and others were indicted in February last year on charges including professional negligence resulting in death and injury for failing to fulfill their duty of care during the Sewol ferry disaster on April 16, 2014, which caused 304 deaths and 142 injuries.

The Special Investigation Unit under the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, which investigated the case, concluded that Kim and others violated their professional duty of care by failing to promptly guide evacuation and direct entry into the vessel to rescue lives after assessing and commanding the situation at the Sewol site.

The verdict for these defendants will be announced on the 15th of next month.

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