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Prime Minister Chung Hong-won

South Korea’s prime minister has announced his resignation over the widespread criticism over the government’s response to the April 16 ferry disaster.
Prime Minister Chung Hong-won announced his resignation early yesterday at an emergency news conference in Seoul, the capital. “I offer my apology for having been unable to prevent this accident from happening and unable to properly respond to it afterwards,” he said. “I believed I, as the prime minister, certainly had to take responsibility and resign.”

Chung’s resignation was approved by President Park Geun-hye although her spokesman later said that he would remain in his post until the rescue operation was completed, the Reuters news agency reported.

The Sewol ferry sank on a routine trip south from the port of Incheon to the traditional holiday island of Jeju.
The Sewol ferry sank in waters off Jindo Island in the south-western province of South Jeolla on April 16 — AP