AFP, Seoul :South Korean President Park Geun-hye has apologised for her government’s failure to combat systemic and regulatory “evils” blamed for the loss of about 300 lives in a ferry disaster.Two days after her prime minister resigned over the tragedy, Ms Park’s comments are another attempt to defuse growing public anger about the April 16 sinking of the 6825-tonne Sewol.”I don’t know how to apologise for the failure to prevent this accident, and for the insufficient first response,” Ms Park said in a statement to her cabinet that was broadcast on national television on Tuesday.”I am sorry to the people and heavy-hearted that many precious lives were lost.” Ms Park’s government has been widely criticised over perceived corruption and lax safety standards that may have led to the disaster, with claims that the ferry was overloaded and that the passenger list was inaccurate and incomplete.Echoing words used by prime minister Chung Hong-Won when he fell on his sword on Sunday, Ms Park blamed systemic and regulatory failings for one of South Korea’s worst ever maritime tragedies.
