Search Operation Underway for Two Fishermen After Boat Sinks Near Jeju Island

SEOUL – A small fishing boat, with one South Korean and two Indonesian fishermen aboard, has sunk off the southern island of Jeju. The incident, which occurred recently, has resulted in one Indonesian fisherman being rescued, while the South Korean captain and another Indonesian fisherman remain missing, according to the Coast Guard’s statement on Sunday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, The rescued Indonesian fisherman is currently receiving medical treatment for hypothermia at the Jeju National University Hospital. In response to the sinking, the Coast Guard deployed four aircraft to conduct an overnight search operation. The search took place approximately 18.5 kilometers off Jeju’s southeastern district of Pyoseon, with 122 illumination bombs used to light up the waters.

The ongoing search effort for the missing fishermen involves 10 patrol ships, alongside additional Navy and private fishing boats. Despite these extensive efforts, the two fishermen were still unaccounted for as of Sunday morning. The Jeju Port Vessel Traffic Service Center had initially reported the sinking of the 4.11-ton fishing boat to the Coast Guard at about 9:52 p.m. on Saturday. When Coast Guard rescuers reached the reported location, the vessel was already missing.

The Coast Guard has announced plans to investigate the exact cause of the sinking once the rescued fisherman’s health condition stabilizes.