Sewol-ho... the ferry that capsized some four years ago, has been lying on its side at Mokpo New Port.
Finally it will be lifted upright come Thursday.
To ensure the operation goes smooth, a test lift was conducted this morning.
Kim Mok-yeon gets us up to speed with the developments.
Four years ago, South Korea witnessed its worst ever maritime disaster,... which claimed the lives of 304 people, mostly high school students on a field trip to Jeju Island.
The Sewol-ho ferry, carrying 475 passengers... capsized in waters off the country's southwestern island of Jindo on April 16th, 2014.
Last year, the rusty body of the 6,825 ton ferry was finally raised out of the sea, and it now lies on its side at the southwestern Mokpo New Port.
"Up to now, the exact cause of how and why the tragedy happened still remains unknown, but in just a matter of less than 24 hours, the ferry will finally be set upright, opening possibilities for new findings that can help uncover the truth behind the incident."
Earlier this week, the local shipbuilder in charge of the operation, Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., installed 33 steel beams on each side of the ferry and connected wires to them from a 10,000-ton floating crane to pull the vessel upright.
Ahead of the long-awaited operation, the Sewol investigation committee held a rehearsal from early Wednesday morning, successfully pulling the vessel up by 40 degrees and lowering it back to its original position.
The committee says it will begin pulling the vessel upright at 8 a.m. on Thursday and aims to finish the operation in 4 hours due to safety reasons.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News, Mokpo.
