The sinking of the Sewol ferry bought to the spotlight some important issues that should be discussed. The first is the lack of business ethics. Chung-hae-jin, saved money which should have been used for passenger safety. Foreign press reported that the ferry disaster shows Korean Leadership at its best and worst. Forbes, an American business magazine, reported "The maritime tragedy … is playing two sides of modern South Korea: A fast-moving, accountable and responsive government, assisted by selfless citizens - contrasted with an opaque, undutiful and craven corporate". So, it is the opinion, of the writer that the prosecution must examine thoroughly the safety part, not only Chung-hae-jin, but also all of the shipping enterprises.
Secondly, people are losing trust in the government because of their mishandling of the crisis. There wasn’t a proper system for the reporting of the problem. Another issue is that the control center of the rescue mission has moved from the ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to the Safety Executive to the emergency headquarters managed by the Prime Minister.
Thirdly, press ethics have also deteriorated with the endless competitions between press outlets and the reporting of wrong information. A disaster reporting guide should be made.
A family member of one of the missing people said "When I was 30, the Sampoong Department store collapsed. I cried so much. But after that, I didn't do anything for them. Because of that, I am experiencing same as them. Young people, you will be just like me if you are just crying for us. You must do something for us. No matter what it can help us."
Jeong Won-kyeong -
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Shrinkflation, Consumer Deception
