One Crew Member Missing from Chinese Fishing Vessel off Yeonpyeongdo... Coast Guard Search Underway

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A crew member in his 40s went missing from a Chinese fishing vessel near Yeonpyeongdo, Incheon, prompting the Coast Guard to launch a search operation.

According to the West Sea 5 Islands Special Security Unit of the Central Regional Coast Guard on the 9th, the Navy reported to the Coast Guard that at around 5:38 a.m., a Chinese crew member in his 40s, identified as A, went missing from a Chinese fishing vessel 12 km east of Yeonpyeongdo, Ongjin-gun, Incheon.

The Navy noticed the crew members searching inside the vessel and informed the Coast Guard after assessing the situation.

The Coast Guard believes that A fell into the sea while working to cast nets from the fishing vessel and has deployed one helicopter and two patrol vessels to search the nearby waters. It is understood that three people, including A and the captain, were on board the vessel at the time.

Additionally, the Coast Guard confirmed approximately 100 kg of catch, including sea snails, conchs, and miscellaneous fish, presumed to have been caught through illegal fishing on the Chinese vessel, and is investigating the possibility of illegal fishing.

Based on the fishing location and the captain’s statements, if illegal fishing is confirmed, the vessel will be seized on charges of violating the Territorial Waters and Contiguous Zone Act and escorted to the exclusive pier of the Incheon Coast Guard.

A representative of the West Sea 5 Islands Special Security Unit stated, "According to the captain’s statement, it is estimated that the vessel crossed about 2.5 to 3 km beyond the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea around 2 a.m. to fish."

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