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Several laws introduced in South Korea following Sewol ferry wreck

This includes a law on confiscation of illegal capital that is supposed to facilitate compensation payments to families of those killed or injured

© ITAR-TASS/EPA/South Korea Coast Guard

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Prosecutors seek capital punishment for captain of capsized South Korean ferry

SEOUL, November 7. /TASS/. National Assembly of the Korean Republic passed three bills Friday, aimed at prevention of incidents similar to the Sewol ferry disaster resulting in approximately 300 victims, according to Yonhap news agency.

Among others is the law on accident causes investigation accompanied by an independent inspection, draft amendments to the law concerning the government structure including the Korea Coast Guard (sea police) disbanding as well as the law on confiscation of illicit capital.

The approval of those drafts bills enables complex dealing with Sewol ferry tragedy consequences that happened 205 days ago on the 16th of April this year, KBS TV Channel says.

The law on the tragedy investigation involves the set-up of investigation commission that is supposed to work for 18 days.

Amendments to the law on government structure include a provision on establishment of a civil security authority that is to be under the direct supervision of the prime minister. Apart from the Coast Guard the National agency on emergency situations will be disbanded.

The new establishment will be playing role of a major operation center coordinating actions of all interested agencies in emergency situations. The head of the organization will be granted the status of a minister. The law on illicit capital confiscation will facilitate compensation payments to families of those killed or injured.

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