S. Korea plans to raise sunken ferry

SEOUL, March 22 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Wednesday it will attempt to raise the Sewol ferry in light of favorable weather conditions. The ill-fated vessel sank off the country's southwestern in coast near Jindo Island in April 2014. The sinking that left more than 300 people dead is the nation's worst maritime disaster. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said efforts to lift the 145-meter-long, 6,825-ton ship will begin later in the day and involve two salvage barges and a semisubmersible ship, which will move the ferry to the port of Mokpo. China's state-run Shanghai Salvage has been commissioned to raise the vessel. Once the ship reaches Mokpo, authorities will try to find the remains of people still listed as missing and determine why the ship sank. yonngong@yna.co.kr (END)