The government has decided to pay a total of some six billion won to the families of 20 victims of the Sewol ferry disaster.

The amount comprises five-point-three billion won in compensation for the loss of their loved ones and 720 million won in consolation money.

A committee under the Oceans and Fisheries Ministry that has been deliberating compensation payments for Sewol victims held their 13th meeting on Friday and approved the figures.

The committee also decided on a 260-million-won payment to compensate for eleven counts of loss of cargo and vehicles that were drowned while on the ferry. 

Another 140 million won will make up for 100 cases of fishery damages such as losses suffered by fishermen.

Applications for state compensation on the ferry disaster were received until September 30. Families of 208 victims out of the 304 deceased and families of 140 among the total 157 survivors have applied for compensation.

The deliberation committee is processing the applications one after another in the order received.