Moyoun Jin. 25 February 2015.  South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has assigned 22 safety inspection officers at the headquarters of the ministry and regional offices of maritime affairs as a follow-up measure after the Sewol disaster.

Through a press statement on 16 February, the ministry said, "The newly appointed 22 safety inspection officers have more than 15-20 years of work experience in the related fields. They will be in charge of guidance and supervision of safety inspection on ships, shipping companies, and operators."

The 22 officers will be provided with job trainings in the next five weeks and will begin their work from 1 April.

The ministry added, "Monitoring and inspection on private operators and their ships will be strengthened thanks to the new officers with specialty and experience in the maritime safety area."

Meanwhile, the ministry will hire 12 additional safety officers and they will begin working in April.

On 16 April 2014, the Sewol ferry capsized during a routine Incheon-Jeju trip, leaving 304 of its 476 passengers and crew dead or missing.

Source: www.ihsmaritime360.com