South Korean court sentences Sewol ferry captain to life in jail
Lee Joon-seok, captain of the Sewol ferry that sank a year ago killing over 300 people, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday, local media reported, according to Sputnik.
In November, Lee was sentenced to 36 years in prison for criminal negligence, but was acquitted of a homicide charge.
Gwangju High Court annulled the verdict Monday, sentencing the former captain to life in jail, according to the Korea Times. Fourteen other crew members were given prison terms of up to 12 years.
The South Korean MV Sewol ferry capsized on its way from the northwestern city of Incheon to the southern island of Jeju on April 16.
The ferry was carrying 476 passengers, mostly secondary school pupils on a school trip.
While passengers were instructed not to move, the captain and several members of the crew left the ship.
Prosecutors initially sought for Lee to be sentenced to death, and three crew members to be jailed for life.