North Orders South Korean Cargo Ship "Get Out" Despite "Normal Operation" in East Sea

"Go to the Open Sea" via the International Merchant Shipping Common Network
Cargo Ship Detours Over 2 Hours... Archipelago on High Alert

It has been confirmed that North Korea issued a warning communication telling a South Korean-flagged cargo ship, which was operating normally, to "go out to the open sea."

According to government officials on the 23rd, on the morning of the 8th, a South Korean-flagged cargo ship was operating normally in the East Sea's international waters. The 30,000-ton vessel had 21 crew members on board, including two Koreans.

However, North Korea sent a small boat to approach the South Korean cargo ship and made a hand gesture signaling "go away." It has not been confirmed whether the personnel aboard the North Korean vessel that approached the cargo ship were soldiers.

North Korea also repeatedly sent messages saying "go out to the open sea" via the international common maritime communication network, a maritime hotline between South and North Korean naval vessels. The international common maritime communication network operates on an open frequency that anyone can listen to and speak on.

A cargo ship carrying export goods is leaving Daesan Port. The photo is unrelated to the article.

After receiving the messages, the South Korean cargo ship immediately relayed the situation to the shipping company's headquarters and relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Although the ship was navigating its normal route, to avoid accidental clashes between the two Koreas, it altered its course to approximately 132 degrees east longitude and detoured for over two hours, eventually entering South Korean waters south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the East Sea that afternoon.

At that time, the South Korean military prepared for an emergency by deploying Air Force fighter jets and Navy warships. The government is also analyzing who sent the messages via the international common maritime communication network.

A government official stated, "Since the 8th, no similar incidents have occurred yet," adding, "However, shipping companies have been informed about this incident and advised to exercise caution during navigation."

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