Baengnyeong: Two Chinese fishing boats were seized near the border island of Baengnyeong in the Yellow Sea on suspicions of illegal fishing in South Korean waters, the Coast Guard reported. The vessels were captured after crossing the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime border between South and North Korea, entering 3 kilometers into South Korean waters around 8 p.m. on Friday. They were apprehended 14.8 km northwest of the island.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during the crackdown, one of the sailors entered a state of cardiac arrest. The individual, a Chinese national in his 40s, received CPR while being transported to a nearby hospital but was later confirmed dead. Crew members indicated that the deceased sailor had consumed a significant amount of alcohol.
Authorities have informed Chinese consular officials of the sailor's death. Investigations are planned to question the remaining crew members about the circumstances surrounding the illegal fishing activities.