S Korea parliament to begin probe into ferry disaster

[SEOUL] South Korea's parliament is to open an investigation into the ferry disaster that has left 300 people dead or missing, politicians confirmed yesterday, as the government counters criticism of its handling of the tragedy.

A special parliamentary session will open this week and a number of committees will begin work from today, the government and opposition said, dedicated to confirming the cause of and responsibility for the sinking of the Sewol.

Park Young-Sun, of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, said the session would focus on "a (parliamentary) investigation, the nomination of a special prosecutor and hearings."