Minister Lee Sang-min "All-out Effort to Rescue Survivors of Jeju Fishing Boat Sinking"

Fishing Boat Sinks off Jeju Coast on 8th
Coast Guard: "14 Rescued, 13 Missing"

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min instructed Jeju Province, the Korea Coast Guard, and other related agencies to mobilize all available resources and make every effort to rescue survivors in connection with the fishing vessel sinking accident that occurred in the waters off Jeju on the 8th.

Earlier that day, at around 4:33 a.m., the Coast Guard received a report that the 129-ton purse seiner Geumseongho, registered in Busan, was sinking about 24 km northwest of Biyangdo, Jeju. According to the Coast Guard, the number of crew members on board Geumseongho was 27 (16 Koreans and 11 foreigners) according to the entry-exit management system, and currently 14 people have been rescued by nearby vessels and brought into Jeju Hallim Port.

At around 4:33 a.m. on the 8th, a report was received by the coast guard that the Geumseongho, a 129-ton purse seiner registered in Busan, was sinking approximately 24 km northwest off Biyangdo, Jeju. Among the crew members, those rescued by nearby vessels are being transported to Hallim Port. Yonhap News Agency

However, among them, 2 are reported to be unconscious, and 12 are conscious. The remaining 13 are missing.

Accordingly, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety dispatched an on-site situation manager for prompt response and recovery at the scene. Minister Lee also urged special attention to the safety of rescue workers during the rescue operation.