Mokpo Coast Guard, Chief Kim Hae-cheol's Briefing on Fishing Boat Capsizing Accident

"We Will Mobilize All Resources and Do Our Best in Rescue Operations"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Kim Hae-cheol, Chief of Mokpo Maritime Police Station, expressed deep condolences to all those affected by the recent accident and announced the current status of the rescue operation.

Chief Kim Hae-cheol is giving a briefing related to the capsized Cheongboho at 11:19 p.m. on the 4th, approximately 16.6 km west of Daebichi Island, Imja-myeon, Sinan-gun.
[Photo by Mokpo Maritime Police Station]

The overturned fishing vessel Cheongboho, located 16.6 km west of Daebichi Island, Jaewon-ri, Imja-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, had a total of 12 people on board: 9 Koreans, 2 Vietnamese, and 1 Indonesian.

Upon receiving the report, the maritime police immediately dispatched patrol vessels and aircraft to the scene, and requested a merchant ship sailing 7.4 km from the accident site to assist, resulting in the rescue of 3 people.

The rescued individuals include 2 Koreans and 1 Indonesian, all of whom are reported to be in good health.

Among the 9 missing persons, 6 are believed to have fallen into the sea, while the remaining 3 are thought to be inside the vessel, according to statements from the rescue crew.

A total of 34 units have been mobilized for the rescue operation, including 26 maritime police patrol vessels, 3 navy ships, 3 government vessels, 2 civilian ships, 5 maritime police aircraft, and 3 military aircraft.

Chief Kim Hae-cheol stated, “Immediately after receiving the accident report, we secured the crew list and contacted their families,” adding, “Once again, I offer my condolences to the families who have faced this tragic accident, and we will do our utmost by mobilizing all available rescue resources.”

Shortly after the accident, in cooperation with Sinan-gun, an accident response headquarters was established at the Sinan-gun Fisheries Cooperative Grand Auditorium located in Bukhang.