The captain of the South Korean ferry that sunk in April and left more than 300 people dead has been sentenced to 36 years in prison.
According to the Associated Press, the sentencing of Lee Joon-seok has left parents of the high school students who died in the tragedy outraged. A relative of a victim reportedly shouted, “Do you know how many children are dead?” while another cried out, “This isn’t right.”
There were many high school students on the ferry at the time of the sinking and many survivors have said they were told to stay on the ship and there were no recollections of being given evacuation orders. The students helped each other to escape from the sinking ship.
The verdict came at the same time officials had called an end to the search for the last nine victims of the sinking. Jook-seok received an acquittal of a homicide charge since the court could not find proof that he was aware that his actions would lead to the loss of life that came from the tragedy.
One engineer was found guilty of homicide after leaving two colleagues to die and not telling rescuers that they needed assistance. Other crew members got sentences of at least five years to 30 years in prison.
Many of the crew members were vilified for leaving the sinking ship and not doing enough to rescue the victims.
CNN reported that it is likely that the government of South Korea could ask for an appeal. The lead prosecutor in the case, Park Jae-uck, said “There were differences in opinion. It is our position to appeal so that we can ask for another judgment.” They would have seven days to appeal the verdict, as well as the defense.