South Korea Ferry Victim Who Gave Friend Life Jacket Laid to Rest

April 22, 2014— -- Before he dove into the cold and murky waters of South Korea's southwest coast, Jung Cha-Woong gave his life jacket to a scared classmate, saving his friend’s life as the ferry they were on began to sink into the sea.

But 17-year-old Jung wasn’t so lucky. He was among the hundreds who didn’t survive the doomed ferry that capsized off the country’s coast on April 16, ABC News’ Joohee Cho reports.

“I can’t believe it,” the teen’s mother wailed over and over, later collapsing over her son’s school desk, sobbing and unable to stand on her own two feet.

Witnesses remember Jung as a hero.

The rescue operation in South Korea is ongoing.