Concern is growing within South Korean shipping circles that the strength of public outrage over the loss of the ferry Sewol — which has left 302 people, mostly schoolchildren, dead or missing, is encouraging police to find scapegoats among maritime officials.

Amid the anger over the loss, Korean Register (KR) chairman Chon Young-kee resigned as his organisation was investigated over the safety certification of the vessel and approval for earlier modifications to increase its cargo and passenger capacity.

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