CNN reports that Chung Hong-won began his announcement with a mournful prelude filled with personal anguish. It has been more than 10 days since the sinking accident occurred, but the cries from the family members who still not have found their missing keep me from sleeping at night. I bow my head and express my condolences to the victims' portraits of this accident. I apologize deeply to the bereaving families, and I pray for a quick recovery from the hurt of a slow recovery."
Prime Minister Chung outlined his decision on national television, after apologizing "on behalf of the government for the many problems that arose during the first response and the subsequent rescue operation" in addition to "problems that existed before the accident. During the search process, the government took inadequate measures and disappointed the public," Chung said. "I should take responsibility for everything as the prime minister, but the government can assume no more. So I will resign as prime minister."
With his announcement, Chung urged his countrymen to stand united, rather than divided."This is not the time for blaming each other but for finishing the rescue operation and dealing with the accident. In order to get over these difficult times, I ask the citizens for help."
Chung becomes the highest-profile public figure yet to fall following the April 16 disaster and subsequent response, which elicited considerable sorrow and anger from the South Korean public.
Eleven days later, searchers are still looking for passengers and crew aboard the Sewol ferry. They have retrieved 187 dead bodies so far, with another 115 still missing.
The search Saturday was suspended due to bad weather that made diving through the murky waters especially dangerous.
A day earlier, divers found the bodies of 48 girls -- wearing their life jackets -- pressed into a room too small for so many people. Divers believe that they will face the same scene again. There may be a second, similar room, where 50 more girls are believed to have been trapped when the ferry rolled over.
