Yoo Gyoung-Geun, a spokesman for the families, said there was anger that the president had not given assurances regarding the independent inquiry demands.
– ‘Meaningless’ words –
“I’m afraid her words were just meaningless,” Yoo said.
Public opinion has been largely supportive of the families, although some conservative groups say left-wing organisations have hijacked the cause in an effort to embarrass the government.
A total of 295 bodies were recovered from the ferry, but nine remained unaccounted for when divers finally called off the dangerous search in November.
The families of those still missing had spearheaded the calls for the ferry to be brought to the surface.
“My heart still aches when I think of the nine people who are still under the cold water, and of their families,” Park said in Jindo.
The president had intended to pay her respects at a special altar erected at the island’s harbour, but angry relatives had put up a barrier to block her access.
And when Prime Minister Lee Wan-Koo went to Ansan on Thursday morning, he was turned away at the entrance to the remembrance hall by victims’ families.
Park and her administration had promised an overhaul of national safety standards after the disaster, but most believe their efforts have fallen short.
“Nothing has changed,” the JoongAng Daily newspaper said in an editorial Thursday, while the largest circulation Chosun Ilbo concluded that “the country remains unsafe”.
Large crowds were expected to turn out later Thursday for an evening candlelight vigil in central Seoul.
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