South Korea had worked together with other countries near the accident site by mobilizing military ships and aircraft to find the 266,000-ton cargo ship and the missing crew.

With no additional sailors found since, the intensive search and rescue operation involving aircraft, military ships and satellite imagery analysis came to an end on Tuesday. The decision was made by Uruguay, the country in charge of the operation.

"Under the relevant international treaty, it is possible for a country in charge -- Uruguay in this case -- to stop search and rescue if there is no reasonable hope of finding additional survivors," the official said.

He said that the decision means that the intensive operation that had been underway ended, but ordinary search and rescue efforts by passing ships along with analysis of satellite images of the area will continue.

Families of the missing crew members are demanding the search and rescue operation be continued and bring additional high-tech equipment including sonar to the accident area to help spot their loved ones. (Yonhap)