South Korea ferry captain gets jail sentence

2014-11-11 155

The captain of a South Korean ferry that sunk in April, killing more than 300 passengers, is sentenced to 36 years in jail.

Judges found him guilty of negligence but not homicide, for which prosecutors were seeking the death sentence.

The other crew members received prison terms between five to 20 years.

Parents of the victims who were mostly schoolchildren, say their loved ones didn't receive justice.

(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) MOTHER OF SUNKEN FERRY VICTIM, GO YOUNG-HUI, SAYING:

"We all prayed for (the court to) sentence the death penalty. We wished the crew members (would) suffer pain as much as our children did. But they just got just 5 years and about 30 years."

Prosecutors say they will appeal the rulings.

The ferry disaster sparked outrage across the country, after it emerged that crew members abandoned the vessel.

They reportedly told those on board to stay in their cabins.