A Coast Guard official accused of leading a poor initial rescue operation during April’s ferry disaster failed to appear at his first court hearing Monday, citing time constraints.
Kim Kyoung-il, the captain of the 100-ton rescue boat called 123, was indicted on charges of negligence of duty and removing some of the work records written on the day of the ferry sinking and filing new content, possibly out of fear that his rescue team’s poor initial response would be disclosed.
“The defendant is currently on duty and has not yet fully consulted with a lawyer,” Kim’s lawyer said during the first trial session held at a district court in this southern city, adding that more time is needed for consultation.
It is customary for both the defendant and his or her lawyer to appear at the first trial session.
The 123 boat of the maritime police office in Mokpo, a southwestern port city, was the first to arrive at the scene when the 6,825-ton Sewol sank on April 16 off the country’s southwest coast, claiming more than 300 lives.
Kim was charged with not properly following the Coast Guard disaster management manual and not taking any proper measure as the person in charge of the scene.
The next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 22. (Yonhap)
