People expressed their bitter indignation, with tears in their eyes, watching videos showing students aboard ferry Sewol eagerly asking for help right before it was sunk, the editorial said.

But Park Geun Hye, visiting the scene of the accident and joint incense-burning altars, made no apology, did not drop tears and read out a written apology without any sincerity, it noted, and went on:

Many protest articles including "Reason why Park Geun Hye should not remain president" and "We post this article at the risk of our lives" were posted on websites of Chongwadae at one time, paralyzing websites. There continued protests and candlelight and torchlight actions of youth and students, teachers and citizens across south Korea. The Park regime was to blame for all this.

But the authorities have not yet realized the gravity of the situation but are encroaching upon the freedom of expression, threatening to detain and punish those posting articles accusing them of the accident on websites.

They are seriously mistaken if they think they can ward off the eruption of people's resentment at Chongwadae.