“The coast guard has essentially failed in its rescueoperations,” Park said during a nationally televised speech.

The coast guard’s investigative work will move to thepolice, Park added. The moves still need parliamentary approval.

Only 172 of the 476 passengers and crew were rescuedafter the Sewol capsized and sank off South Korea’s southwestern coast on April16.

Park claimed: “Aggressive rescuing operations immediatelyfollowing the sinking could have greatly reduced deaths.”

Commissioner