Sewol Disaster: Anger Despite Ship Salvage Vow

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Families of some of the 304 victims of the Sewol ferry disaster have blocked South Korea's leaders from attending a memorial event marking the first anniversary.

The protest came amid anger from bereaved relatives over the government's handling of the tragedy and the recovery of the vessel.

Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo was confronted by demonstrators clutching placards as he attempted to visit the memorial venue in the city of Ansan.

Earlier, protesters had put up a barrier to block President Park Guen-hye from getting into the hall.

Of those who died, 250 were children from the same high school in Ansan, which has been the focus of anniversary activities.

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Gallery: Sewol Victims Remembered A Year On

Relatives of victims of the Sewol ferry disaster react as they throw flowers to pay tribute to the victims of the 16 April sinking last year

The ferry capsized off the coast of South Korea's southern island of Jindo. Continue through for more images

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At the venue where Mr Lee was turned away, one of the protesting relatives said: "If we can't get enough answers from the government, we cannot mourn the first anniversary."

A minute's silence was held across Ansan and flags flew at half mast on Thursday, exactly a year to the day since the ferry capsized.

Thousands of mourners visited the memorial hall where portraits of the students were displayed with flowers and black ribbons.

One tribute among the framed photos read: "My son, I hope you're happy up there. Mom misses you so much."

Uniformed students from Danwon High School also stood in silence inside the venue.

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Gallery: Scene Of Sewol Ferry Disaster

Hundreds of high school pupils were on board the Sewol when it got into difficulties - only 75 survived. Continue through the gallery for more images from the scene and the rescue effort.

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Nine of the victims remain unaccounted for after the search was called off in November. Only 75 of those on board survived.

The government is now under pressure to commit to raising the 6,825-tonne ferry, which is expected to cost the equivalent of £75m, and carry out a more thorough investigation.

While President Park pledged on Thursday to start the operation "at the earliest possible date", families were still not satisfied and boycotted official anniversary events, including one on the island of Jindo, close to where the Sewol sank.

The disaster has been largely blamed on overloading and an illegal redesign of the passenger ship, but in its aftermath wider questions have been raised about safety standards and regulatory failings.

The captain, Lee Joon-seok, was jailed along with other crew members after they were accused of abandoning the stricken ship, telling passengers to stay in their cabins.

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