South Korea releases three previously withheld Sewol records

June 16 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's Presidential Archives has released three previously withheld records concerning legislation and compensation related to the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.

The archives provided copies of the documents to the April 16 Sewol Disaster Families Association for Truth and a Safer Society, which had requested their disclosure.

The archives initially rejected the association's request in November for records related to the drafting of special legislation concerning the disaster.

It later reversed that decision following a review by the Presidential Records Management Committee and approved the disclosure of the documents. The families association subsequently filed a notice withdrawing its lawsuit against the archives.

The newly released records include reports on meetings of a task force responsible for the Sewol special law and the major issues it considered.

They also cover the progress of compensation discussions, negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties over the proposed legislation and internal government reviews of compensation measures.

The three records, which document the process of drafting the special law and discussing compensation for victims, are available through South Korea's online presidential records portal.

"I hope this decision will help bring healing to the bereaved families, who have endured profound emotional suffering, and contribute to efforts to establish the truth," Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung said.

"We will work to disclose presidential records promptly and proactively so they can be provided to those who need them without unnecessary delay," Yun said.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260616010005566

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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 6:56 PM.