The families of the 10 Sewol victims who remained missing as of Sunday took the courageous step of discussing whether the recovery efforts should be continued.

The families agreed to vote on whether to allow the salvage operation to start, requiring a two-thirds majority, or six votes in favor, to begin the salvage operation. In Sunday’s vote, four families voted in favor and five families voted against. There were nine votes because two of the victims are from the same family ― a father and son. On Monday afternoon, the group met with Oceans and Fisheries Minister Lee Ju-young and asked the government to continue the search for those still missing.

Since April 16, when the ferry carrying their loved ones sank off the coast of Jindo Island, these families have remained at Paengmok Harbor while the other families left one by one as the bodies of their loved ones were found. Of course, any hopes of seeing their family members alive were extinguished long ago. And now the possibility of recovering their loved ones’ remains is dimming with each passing day. Yesterday, the 295th victim was recovered, the first in 102 days.

Divers on the scene are reportedly saying that it will soon no longer be possible to enter the water as the temperature drops and the currents become stronger in the winter months. Officials say that the ferry’s condition has deteriorated so much after more than six months underwater that it is nearly impossible to search it.

Although the families voted against a salvage operation at this point, they will continue to discuss the issue with the government and the search workers on site, according to the lawyer representing the families. The lawyer added that the families had difficulty discussing the issue because of a lack of information.

A second vote may take place as soon as this weekend, according to reports. The government should provide all the necessary information to enable the families to make an informed decision, a decision that they will reach with the knowledge that they have made the best possible choice under the circumstances, a decision that they can live with.

The government has repeatedly said it would strive to work so that there is no “han” remaining among the victims’ families. The authorities should fully support the families in their attempt to make a very difficult decision.