South Korea's Prime Minister announced his resignation Sunday morning, taking responsibility for the slow initial response to a ferry's sinking that has left nearly 200 dead with scores more still missing.
Chung Hong-won began his announcement with a mournful prelude filled with anguish.
"It has been more than 10 days since the sinking accident occurred, but the cries from the family members who still not have found their missing keep me from sleeping at night," he said.
"I bow my head and express my condolences to the victims' portraits of this accident. I apologize deeply to the bereaving families, and I pray for a quick recovery from the hurt of a slow recovery."
Prime Minister Chung outlined his decision on national television, after apologizing "on behalf of the government for the many problems that arose during the first response and the subsequent rescue operation" in addition to "problems that existed before the accident."
"During the search process, the government took inadequate measures and disappointed the public," Chung said. "I should take responsibility for everything as the prime minister, but the government can assume no more. So I will resign as prime minister."
With his announcement, Chung urged his countrymen to stand united, rather than divided.
"This is not the time for blaming each other but for finishing the rescue operation and dealing with the accident," he said. "In order to get over these difficult times, I ask the citizens for help."
President Park Geun-hye accepted the Prime Minister's resignation Sunday, her office said in a statement. She said the resignation will take effect later, after the government is finished with the aftermath of the disaster.
Chung becomes the highest-profile public figure yet to fall following the April 16 disaster and subsequent response, which elicited considerable sorrow and anger from the South Korean public.
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