Namyangju City and Joan-myeon Fishing Community Join Gapyung Missing Persons Search in Scorching Heat

Namyangju City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor: Joo Kwangdeok) announced on July 30 that the fishing community association in Joan-myeon voluntarily participated in the search operation for missing persons in Paldang Lake on July 28, moving the local community.

Namyangju-si Joan-myeon Fishing Village Association voluntarily conducted a search operation for the missing person in Paldang Lake on the 28th. Provided by Namyangju-si

This search operation was conducted to locate two missing persons. The Joan-myeon fishing community association worked in cooperation with firefighters to carry out searches focused on both the water and shoreline areas of Paldang Lake. The association deployed a total of four boats and, despite the intense heat, is doing its utmost to find the missing persons.

Joan-myeon is designated as a water source protection area, where fishing activities are generally prohibited. However, limited fishing is permitted only for residents who held fishing licenses prior to the designation of the protection area.

Currently, the fishing community association consists of 12 residents who hold fishing licenses. Fishing activities are restricted to gillnet and longline methods using non-motorized or electric-powered boats. In addition, new licenses cannot be issued or inherited, making it difficult for residents to continue fishing as a means of livelihood.

Despite these restrictions, the Joan-myeon fishing community association is setting an example for the local community by voluntarily participating in the urgent search for missing persons, acting with a sense of responsibility as members of the community.

Jo Gubong, head of the Joan-myeon fishing community association, said, "Although there are many difficulties in fishing activities due to the restrictions of being a water source protection area, seeing the pain of the bereaved families and the dedication of the search teams made us want to contribute, even in a small way. I hope this provides at least some comfort to the families."

Park Kyungbun, head of Joan-myeon, stated, "I deeply thank the head of the fishing community association and its members for voluntarily joining the search for the missing persons despite the heat and their busy schedules. I was greatly moved by their practice of sharing and solidarity within the local community."