Negligence in Initial Response to 'Taean Illegal Entry'... Taean Coast Guard Chief Suspended

Warning Measures by the Chief of the Central Regional Coast Guard Headquarters

Rubber boats used by Chinese nationals for illegal entry were repeatedly found in Taean, Chungnam.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The Korea Coast Guard held those responsible for neglecting initial response in the Taean illegal immigration incident accountable by dismissing Hamansik, the chief of the Taean Coast Guard Station, on the 5th and issuing a warning to Oh Yunyong, the head of the Central Regional Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard appointed Yoon Taeyeon, the commander of the West Sea 5 Islands Special Security Unit with extensive experience in maritime security and related duties, as the new chief of the Taean Coast Guard Station.

Regarding this incident, the Coast Guard plans to take strict measures against any personnel found to have handled their duties inappropriately following an internal investigation.

Between April 20 and about 40 days thereafter, three illegal immigration boats were consecutively discovered within a 15 km radius of Taean County, raising concerns about the lax maritime security.

Among these, the leisure boat found on the 23rd of last month was investigated to have been used by Chinese nationals who illegally immigrated after departing from Weihai, Shandong Province, China.

The eight illegal immigrants reportedly gathered money to purchase the boat and fuel to cross the West Sea in order to work at places such as onion farms in the Jeonnam region. Currently, six have been caught and detained by the Coast Guard, while the remaining four are being pursued. Earlier, two of the five Chinese nationals who illegally immigrated in April were also recently arrested.

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