The wreck of the Sewol-ho ferry that capsized in waters off Korea's southwestern coast more than four years ago will finally be placed upright today,... paving the way for new findings that could help the ongoing investigation into the disaster.
The ferry itself was only brought to shore a year ago.
We connect to our Kim Mok-yeon who has been at the scene since this morning.
Mok-yeon, it's mid-morning now,... I'm guessing operations have already started...

Yes, Mark. I'm here at Mokpo New Port, and the lifting operations are gearing up as I speak.
Along with me today are some 200 bereaved family members of the victims as well as reporters and camera teams from numerous media outlets,... waiting for the ferry to finally show its full-shape for the first time since it capsized in April 2014.
The Sewol-ho Investigation Committee started the process around an hour ago,... pulling 64 wires through the ten-thousand ton floating crane that's connected to a total of 66 steel beams installed on the left-side and under the ferry.
We hear that, over the next four hours, the vessel will gradually be pulled upright in six stages, tilting the body of the ferry by 35 degrees from the ground, to 50 degrees, and eventually to 90 degrees.
Currently, it is now… halfway????___________to the process and...

So what happens after? And why is this turning operation so significant?

Well, Mark... once the Sewol-ho is lifted to an upright position, the committee says it will install a pathway that can allow access to the ship's interior, and they can start to remove any hazardous elements that may still be inside the hull.
After which, investigators will officially begin their search for the bodies of the five victims still unaccounted for... all these years later.
They will also look for new clues that could unlock fresh evidence about what caused the disaster.
Family members are also hoping to find the belongings of their loved ones that could still be inside the vessel.
But, investigators say official search operations are unlikely to start for the next few weeks as the process of safely securing the ferry, including removing the support beams,... won't be finished until June 10th.
Back to you, Mark.