Seoul: A Navy sailor was reported missing on Sunday during a patrol mission in the East Sea near the de facto inter-Korean maritime border, leading to an extensive search operation, the military has confirmed. The sailor, whose identity remains undisclosed, vanished while the vessel was patrolling approximately 50 kilometers off Geojin in Gangwon Province, close to the Northern Limit Line (NLL).
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Navy, in collaboration with the Coast Guard, has initiated a search operation, deploying around 10 ships and aircraft to locate the missing sailor. The sailor, identified as holding the rank of seaman apprentice, was last observed by a crew member conducting an overnight watch aboard a Navy frigate between midnight and 2 a.m. His absence was noted when he failed to report for the morning watch.
In a precautionary measure, the military has informed North Korea about the sailor's disappearance through international merchant ship communication channels. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has urged officials to prioritize the sailor's swift and safe rescue.
The unification ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, has released a press statement requesting North Korea's cooperation in the search efforts. "It appears there is a possibility (the sailor) drifted north of the NLL," stated the ministry. "As our Navy is currently searching for the missing sailor, (we) request cooperation in the search and repatriation of the missing sailor on humanitarian grounds."
Despite no clear indications that the sailor has drifted north of the NLL, the ministry emphasized the importance of this preemptive measure. This request comes at a time when inter-Korean communication channels remain non-functional amid strained cross-border relations.