President Lee Myung-bak continued to preside over a meeting of security-related cabinet ministers from 4 o’clock this afternoon.

At the meeting, the President instructed the participants to mobilize every available person and piece of equipment to ensure that utmost rescue efforts were carried out. He went on to emphasize that the top priority must be placed on fining the missing sailors.

The President also said, “Families of the missing crewmen must be in a state of great shock and deep sorrow beyond our imagination. Those sailors have served the nation.” He continued to call upon the participating ministers to take extra care in notifying the families of how the situation is unfolding and offering them consolation and sympathy.

In addition, President Lee said that high-ranking military officials need to be on the scene in person in a bid to provide detailed explanations and every convenience for the families of the missing crew members.