South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced on 24 July that a Sewol compensation committee held a meeting and decided on the amount of compensation that the victims’ families and survivors would receive.
At the meeting, compensation for 15 deceased victims was set at KRW5.98 billion (USD5.12 million), while compensation for two survivors was assessed at KRW720 million. In addition, indemnities for loss or damage to cargoes for 56 claims consisting of KRW609 million for cargoes and KRW180 million for vehicles have been approved.
Also, 15 claims relating to a drop in the production of marine products and a fall in marine products sales suffered by fishermen in Jindo Island have been confirmed. A total of KRW210 million would be granted to those 15 claimants.
Related news: Seoul grants compensation to 46 Sewol claimants
Sewol, carrying 476 passengers and crew, capsized during a routine Incheon–Jeju trip on 16 April 2014, leaving 304 dead or missing. Many of the victims were Danwon High School students on an excursion to Jeju Island. Nine bodies remain missing.
Meanwhile, the MOF said through a press statement, “Regarding the current status of Sewol-related claims, families of 95 victims, of which there are 72 Danwon High School students and 23 other passengers, filed their claims.”
The MOF concluded, “Up until now, compensation of KRW32.2 billion has been approved for 408 claims. These claims comprise 62 claims worth KRW26.1 billion from victims’ families and survivors, 211 claims worth KRW5.8 billion relating to loss or damage to cargoes, and 135 claims worth KRW290 million from aggrieved fishermen.”
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.