This scenario was confirmed by simulations separately run by the expert advisory panel on the joint investigation team, the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering, and the Advanced Marine Engineering Center of Seoul National University. [51] The Register had noted in a stability test report dated 24 January 2014 that Sewol had become 'too heavy and less stable after modifications were made. [123], During the capsizing and the subsequent reporting, the South Korean government's announcements, as well as those from the South Korean media, were inconsistent and inaccurate. A prominent South Korean politician from the ruling Saenuri Party, Chung Mong-joon, was forced to apologize when his son wrote a controversial Facebook post criticizing the public for criticizing the government over the disaster. At this point, 196 personnel, including 82 in the SSU and 114 in the ROK Naval Special Warfare Flotilla were involved in the operations. [50] Shin had also requested a repair for the malfunctioning steering gear on 1 April 2014, but this was not done. [271], On 29 April, South Korean president Park Geun-hye indirectly apologized for the government's response to the ferry sinking. [199], Renovations which added extra passenger cabins have been proposed as a main secondary cause by Kim Gill-soo (김길수), a professor in the maritime transport technological department at the Korea Maritime University. [162] On 17 July, a firefighting helicopter returning from rescue operations crashed near an apartment complex, killing all five officers aboard and injuring a high school student. [84] During this time, Park was crying, as she was taken aback by the sudden incident; this lasted until at least 9:06 a.m.[78][85] With the engines off, Sewol became unable to change directions and began drifting sideways. [56] At 8:46 a.m., as Sewol was travelling at a speed of eighteen knots at a course of around 136 degrees, Park ordered Cho to change the course from 135 degrees to 140 degrees, which Cho consequently undertook.[29]:39. [234] Amongst 15 crew accused of the sinking, prosecutors sought the death penalty for Captain Lee under the charge of homicide and the prosecution told the court that he failed to carry out his duty. Three minutes later, the Jeju Coast Guard called the Mokpo Coast Guard and discovered that a patrol boat had already been dispatched. [209][210][211] Two other crew members, a helmsman and the third mate, were also arrested on that day on suspicion of negligence and manslaughter. [104] By around 11:18 a.m., the stern was submerged, with a section of the hull about 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) high and 20 to 30 metres (66 to 98 ft) long showing above the water. [251] The director's cut of the film was made available for public viewing on YouTube on 31 August 2015. "[283], On 22 April, a netizen made a post encouraging others to take part in a yellow ribbon campaign on KakaoTalk. [100], At 9:06 a.m., the Jindo VTS were informed of the capsizing incident by the Mokpo Coast Guard. [114] Most of the student passengers obeyed the announcements. [87], As Sewol began sinking, the ferry's intercom system started ordering the passengers to stay put, alleging that moving was dangerous. [170] According to CNN and its affiliate YTN, six people died. [95] Four minutes afterwards, the crew of Sewol reported to the VTS that the ferry had heeled more than 50 degrees to port. As criticism of her handling of the disaster grew stronger, the Park administration established a commission to monitor and prosecute her critics.

[279], On 18 April 2014, the rescued vice principal of Danwon High School, Kang Min-kyu, 52, committed suicide by hanging himself.