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The aftermath left the nation reeling with anger and confusion. Questions about accountability loomed large. The ferry's crew were initially blamed for abandoning the children and mishandling the emergency, yet investigations revealed deeper, more sinister causes rooted in corporate greed. The ferry had been illegally modified to carry more cargo, maximizing profits at the expense of safety.
The chaebol culture in South Korea created an environment where safety regulations could be skirted, and corporate accountability was often absent. The captain received a life sentence, but the real culprits—the owners of the ferry—remained elusive.