Prosecutors Demand Maximum Sentence for Former Coast Guard Chief Kim Seok-gyun... Sewol Ferry Rescue Failure

Former Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard Kim Seok-gyun (center). / Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The prosecution has requested the maximum legal sentence for former Korea Coast Guard Commissioner Kim Seok-gyun, who was indicted for causing the deaths of passengers due to inadequate initial response during the Sewol ferry disaster.

On the 11th, at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 22 (Presiding Judge Yang Cheol-han), during the sentencing hearing for Kim and 10 others charged with professional negligence resulting in death or injury, the prosecution asked the court to "sentence defendant Kim Seok-gyun to the maximum penalty prescribed by law, which is five years imprisonment."

The statutory penalty for professional negligence resulting in death or injury is "imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 20 million won."

The prosecution also requested four years imprisonment for former West Sea Coast Guard Commissioner Kim Soo-hyun, four years and six months imprisonment for former Mokpo Coast Guard Station Chief Kim Moon-hong, and three years and six months imprisonment for former Coast Guard Deputy Commissioner Choi Sang-hwan, all charged with the same offense.

Former Korea Coast Guard Safety and Security Bureau Director Lee Chun-jae, Jeju Regional Coast Guard Commissioner Yeo In-tae, and former West Sea Coast Guard Situation Officer Yoo Yeon-sik were each requested to receive imprisonment or detention for three to four years, while other Coast Guard officials were requested to receive imprisonment or detention for one to three years.

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

The Special Investigation Unit under the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which investigated the case, judged that Kim and others violated their professional duty of care by failing to grasp the situation at the Sewol site and to command and control immediate evacuation guidance and entry into the vessel to rescue lives.

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

However, he added, "Looking back at this moment, there are many regrets and shortcomings. I want to emphasize that in the urgent situation, Coast Guard personnel made every effort to rescue as many people as possible."

The sentencing hearing for Kim and others is scheduled for the 15th of next month.

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