Mokpo Maritime Police Station, Playing a Key Role as the 'Guardians of the Sea' Protecting the West and South Seas

Determined to Practice as a 'Strong on the Ground, Trusted Organization'

The 3015 ship belonging to Mokpo Coast Guard is cracking down on illegal fishing Chinese vessels in the exclusive economic zone. (Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard Station)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] The Mokpo Maritime Police Station, with all its staff united as one, is playing a crucial role as the "Guardians of the Sea," protecting the precious lives and property of the people and safeguarding maritime sovereignty from various situations occurring in the West and South Sea.

According to the Mokpo Maritime Police Station on the 26th, despite the difficult international situation including the spread of COVID-19 last year, they played a leading role in protecting South Korea's maritime sovereignty by expelling and blocking 3,857 foreign fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing and arresting 9 vessels.

They also demonstrated the true strength of the maritime police on site by rescuing 327 vessels and 1,931 lives from various maritime accidents such as flooding, sinking, capsizing, and fires.

Meanwhile, the Mokpo Maritime Police is also conducting strong crackdowns on maritime crimes and smuggling and illegal immigration offenders.

Mokpo Coast Guard quickly extinguished a ship fire that occurred on the sea near Byeongpungdo, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do on the 23rd of last month. (Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard Station)

Last year, a total of 720 people (246 under the Criminal Act, 474 under special laws) were arrested. In June, through a combined sea and air operation using patrol vessels and helicopters, two people attempting illegal immigration near Hajodo Island, Jindo County, were arrested, and in December of the same year, three foreigners attempting illegal departure using a small motorboat near Gageodo Island, Sinan County, were arrested.

In particular, in January, a smuggling vessel carrying approximately 535,000 packs of Chinese cigarettes worth 2.1 billion won was detected off Jaewondo Island, Sinan County, demonstrating enhanced maritime security capabilities and cooperation with related agencies such as military units.

Subsequently, by deploying patrol vessels and helicopters, the Mokpo Maritime Police urgently transported a total of 341 emergency patients from island areas and at sea last year, recording the highest number of transports nationwide and fulfilling the role of an "ambulance on the sea."

Additionally, they promptly responded to a total of 20 marine pollution incidents, including an oil spill caused by the sinking of a tugboat in the port of Gageodo Island, Sinan County, in July last year, and actively engaged in marine cleanup activities such as collecting Sargassum horneri, leading efforts to create cleaner seas.

Furthermore, they continuously communicate with the public through various content development on SNS and other platforms, striving to enhance the image of the maritime police.

Meanwhile, as of 2021, the Mokpo Maritime Police has arrested 11 foreign vessels engaged in illegal fishing, rescued 355 people from 74 maritime accidents, and transported 67 emergency patients from island areas, doing their best in their respective duties to become a maritime police force trusted and relied upon by the public.

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