Fifteen months have passed since the Sewol ferry disaster shook the nation, and many Koreans may have recovered from the initial shock of one of the worst maritime calamities. But this does not mean that they could ease up on what they suffered and what they committed themselves to when the tragic accident overtook the entire nation.

So it is utterly disturbing to hear that the special committee named to investigate what caused the ferry to sink and find what we should do to prevent such a disaster has been idle for more than four months.

The committee was launched in March, 11 months after the ferry sank with more than 300 people, many of them high school students on a field trip, under the Special Sewol Act.

But over the four months of its operation, it has done virtually nothing. Instead of organizing a team of qualified staff and getting it to start its job, the panel has engaged itself in disputes and internal feuding over peripheral issues.

The committee’s chairman, Lee Seok-tae, and the bereaved families of the Sewol victims hampered otherwise smooth operations of the panel by insisting on a change to a government decree that set aside a key investigation post to a government official. The post is a mid-level one, but the opposition suspected it could lead to government intervention in the probe.

Lee eventually changed his position, requesting the government fill the post in question and two other key positions. But damage has already been done to his leadership, as seen by the voluntary resignation of vice chairman Cho Dae-hwan.

The biggest problem is that the committee is under the control of those with ideological bias. For instance, it has recently hired about 30 civilian staff, but most openings went to those from left-wing groups -- like progressive bar association, civic and labor groups.

The special act gives the investigation committee one year to finish its work, which can be extended once by six months. It can get another three months to complete its final report. But even if all this is considered, there is not enough time.

What’s urgent is that the committee makes sure it is entirely independent not only of political power and ideology but also of bereaved families of victims, some of whom are tied up with left-wing groups.