South Korea Votes to Disband its Coast Guard

South Korea’s national assembly has voted to pass legislation effectively disbanding its coast guard after the organization fell under heavy criticism in wake of April’s Sewol ferry capsizing which killed more than 300, most of whom were high school students.

South Korean police will take over the coast guard’s responsibilities as a new safety agency is formed.

Extensive criticism targeted the coast guards’ rescue efforts as public opinion deemed its performance highly inadequate. President Park Geun-hye too criticized the coast guard’s response and announced in May plans for is disbanding.

Coast guard officers testifying at an ongoing trial of ferry crew members reported that they lacked the proper training and equipment to rescue passengers successfully.