S Korea vows to revamp shipping industry laws

[SEOUL] South Korea vowed to overhaul shipping industry regulations a day after the prime minister resigned amid growing anger at the government's handling of the nation's worst maritime disaster in four decades.

"We will study any structural problems in the shipping industry and overhaul its legal framework to prevent similar disasters," Justice Minister Hwang Kyo Ahn said in a parliament committee on Monday. "Given the public anger and the issue's seriousness, we will actively apply all laws to strictly punish those involved. The ferry's crew, operator and regulator face severe punishment over any wrongdoings."

Prime Minister Chung Hong Won resigned on Sunday as polls showed support for President Park Geun Hye and the ruling party slipping, and the country's major newspapers accused the government of mishandling its response to the tragedy. Victims' relatives shouted and threw water bottles at Mr Chung, who will remain in office until the government's r…