The captain of the Sewol ferry which sank off South Korea claiming the lives of 304 people has admitted responsibility for a ‘grave crime.’
In court, Captain Lee Joon-seok apologized for his actions but laid the blame for the disaster with the ship’s owners Chonghaejin Marine Company.
The captain and some crew were among the first to evacuate the sinking ship while other passengers remained trapped inside.
Lee had earlier said in court he had been in a ‘confused’ state of mind during the evacuation.
Lee and three other crew members are facing murder charges and if convicted could face the death penalty.
A separate trial is being held for company officials who have been charged with overseeing illegal modifications and overloading of the ship.
Six months on, 294 bodies have been recovered from the wreck but 10 passengers are still officially reported missing.
Most of the dead were high school students travelling to Jeju Island on a school trip.
