Mokpo Coast Guard Catches Unlicensed Water Leisure Operator in Their 40s

Exterior view of Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Photo by Mokpo Maritime Police Station)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] A man in his 40s, Mr. K, was caught by the Mokpo Coast Guard for operating a water leisure vehicle without a license during the weekend holiday.

According to the Mokpo Maritime Police Station on the 18th, at around 7:15 a.m. on the 17th, Mr. K (43 years old) was caught violating the Water Leisure Safety Act for operating motorboat A (3.55t, 200 horsepower, 4 crew members) without obtaining a power water leisure vehicle operator’s license in the waters 1.1 km east of Jangjukdo, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do.

At the time, Mr. K was operating a 3-ton motorboat without a license from Seomang Port, Jindo, amid thick sea fog caused by low visibility, and was caught by the coast guard during a safety guidance patrol.

The Coast Guard stated that anyone intending to operate a power water leisure vehicle with more than 5 horsepower must obtain a license to engage in leisure activities, and operating such a vehicle without a license can result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

A Mokpo Coast Guard official said, “Water leisure vehicles must be operated only by those who have completed registration and hold the required license. Operating a water leisure vehicle without a license or under the influence of alcohol can lead to fatal accidents, so we plan to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed water leisure activities along with promotional guidance.”

Meanwhile, the Mokpo Coast Guard is conducting intensive crackdowns on violations that threaten water leisure safety, such as unregistered vehicles, failure to undergo safety inspections, unlicensed operation, exceeding passenger limits, illegal water leisure business activities, and failure to wear life jackets, from May to October to promote a safe and sound leisure culture during the peak water leisure season.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.