The maritime ministry said Tuesday it will ban any remodeling of ships that could jeopardize their safety, the first concrete reform taken by the government in response to the tragic sinking of a passenger ferry in April that left more than 300 people dead or missing.
The government will limit the maximum age of passenger ferries to 20 years and allow an extension of a maximum five years, with intensive safety inspections every year, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Lee Ju-young said.