Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok Promises Proactive Support for Seo Kyungho Search Efforts

Visited Victims' Families at Gukdong Port, Yeosu on the 13th
Discussed Requests for Deployment of Deep-Sea Civilian Divers

Jeonnam Governor Youngrok Kim visited Yeosu Suhyup Clean Wholesale Market on the 13th to console the families of victims (missing persons) of the 22nd Seogyeongho sinking accident. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, visited the waiting room for the families of the victims of the Seogyeongho accident, which was set up at the clean fish market in Gukdong Port, Yeosu, on the 13th to offer his condolences. He also expressed Jeollanam-do's intention to provide preemptive support for the deployment of deep-sea civilian divers. This was in response to the families' desperate request for the urgent deployment of deep-sea civilian divers to quickly recover the five missing persons.

Governor Kim met with the families of the victims and said, "I deeply empathize with the heartbreaking feelings of the families waiting for the missing persons in the cold sea," and explained, "It is difficult for the local government to make a unilateral decision on the deployment of deep-sea civilian divers."

He continued, "However, for the families who are anxiously waiting for the missing persons through sleepless nights and tears, Jeollanam-do will take the lead in supporting the deployment of deep-sea civilian divers and will later discuss the necessary funding with the central government and Busan City."

Although the shipping company should proceed with the deployment of deep-sea civilian divers and the salvage of the vessel, they requested support from the government and the relevant local governments due to financial issues. In this situation, Jeollanam-do, understanding the anguish of the families, decided to take action first after consulting with experts to expedite the search.

Meanwhile, Jeollanam-do is supporting the search for the five missing persons with three provincial and city-county fishing guidance vessels, along with nearby fishing boats. To help stabilize the families emotionally, the province is operating a 1:1 dedicated task force of public officials and has also set up a counseling booth for psychological recovery.