Seoul - Holding yellow balloons and carrying banners, thousands of protestors marched in the South Korean capital Saturday, calling for an independent probe into last year's ferry disaster.
Four different processions converged in central Seoul to protest at alleged government attempts to obstruct an independent investigation into the tragedy.
"Salvage the Sewol Ferry", chanted one of the groups as they marched along the pavement.
Wearing yellow scarves and ribbons, they also chanted slogans accusing the government of President Park Geun-Hye of seeking to hamper an independent probe into the sinking.
The marchers, including dozens of families of the victims, gathered for a rally in commemoration of the Sewol victims on a green area of Sejong Street where supporters of the families have been camping over the past year.
"Step down, Park Geun-Hye," and "Park Gen-Hye, don't come home," the crowd of some 3,000 chanted, with the president due to return Monday from a trip to South America which she began on April 16, the first anniversary of the disaster.
The sinking of the vessel in April last year claimed 304 lives, most of them teenagers on a school trip.
Police did not intervene and the protestors dispersed peacefully following a brief candlelit vigil.
AFP
