Investigators said Monday that Yoo Byung-eun, the de facto owner of the sunken ferry Sewol, was found to have glossed over critical problems with the stability of the refurbished vessel.According to the prosecution, Kim Han-shik, the chief of Chonghaejin Marine Co. ― the operator of the Sewol ― notified Yoo of the risks of overloading it with freight early this year. Kim reportedly pointed out the ferry’s weakened ability to recover left-and-right balance when tilted due to an extension in the n

 At least six people were killed and about 40 injured in a fire that broke out at Goyang Bus Terminal in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, Monday. The blaze occurred at around 9 a.m. at an underground food court that was under construction. According to Goyang Fire Station, the fire was brought under control within about 20 minutes.Most of the injured were found in the terminal’s bathroom, which is located near the construction site, the police said. A total of 21 were sent to hospitals throughout the

Despite President Park Geun-hye’s repeated apologies and drastic reform proposals, a growing number of people are participating in protests against the government’s failures during the Sewol ferry disaster.Students, parents with small children and even foreign nationals took part in massive demonstrations in central Seoul on Saturday to commemorate the victims of the sunken ferry and to urge Cheong Wa Dae to take responsibility for its failed operation to save those onboard the sunken ferry Sewo

This is the fourth in a series of articles that examine Korean’s preparedness for disasters and social risks in light of the recent Sewol tragedy. ― Ed.Compassion is a virtue valued highly in Korean life. It has been credited with bringing Koreans together for its rapid economic rise and helped maintain social cohesion to create a more inclusive culture.But the recent ferry disaster has brought to the fore compassion’s dark side. Analysts say that “compassionate” officials in charge of the socia

The prosecution has rolled up its sleeves in its efforts to seize the de facto owner of the ill-fated ferry Sewol after it failed to capture him despite a raid by investigators on his religious compound a day before.Investigators are expected to conduct a full-fledged search for Yoo Byung-eun as the Incheon District Court on Thursday approved the arrest warrant for the ex-Semo Group chief, who is suspected of engaging in a variety of business malpractices.In its unveiling of the background for i