Chinese National Illegally Enters Jeju by Rubber Boat: "Came to Korea to Earn Money"

Statement: "Six Came to Earn Money"

A Chinese national who illegally entered Jeju Island by rubber boat from China has been apprehended by the police.

On September 9, the Jeju Western Police announced, "At around 6:30 p.m. on the 8th, we urgently arrested a Chinese man in his 40s, identified as Mr. A, at a motel in Seogwipo City, Jeju, on charges of violating the Immigration Control Act and are currently investigating him." The police are also pursuing the remaining individuals who illegally entered Jeju with Mr. A.

Officials from the Coast Guard and police are attempting to investigate and salvage an unidentified boat discovered on the morning of the 8th along the coast of Yongsu-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City. Photo by Yonhap News

Mr. A reportedly stated, "A total of six of us paid a broker several million won each to illegally enter Korea to earn money. After arriving in Jeju Island, we all went our separate ways." Investigations revealed that Mr. A had first entered Jeju in October 2017 through the visa-free program. He then overstayed illegally before voluntarily reporting himself on January 18 last year and being deported to China.

At 7:56 a.m. on the 8th, police received a report of an "unidentified rubber boat" along the coast of Yongsu-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City. When the boat was discovered by a local resident, there were no passengers on board. The boat was equipped with a 90-horsepower outboard motor and an electric propulsion system.

It was confirmed that the rubber boat was carrying a large amount of fuel, including nine 20-liter green fuel containers and one each of 55-liter and 25-liter red containers, raising the possibility of a long-distance voyage. There were also signs that some of the fuel had been used. The rubber boat was salvaged after an on-site investigation. The Coast Guard, police, and military counterintelligence units are conducting a joint investigation.

Meanwhile, in Incheon, two Chinese nationals-a man and a woman-were apprehended in March after attempting to illegally enter the country by rubber boat equipped with a 30-horsepower engine.

They reportedly departed from Rongcheng City, Shandong Province, China, by rubber boat at around 6 p.m. on March 7, and after a 20-hour, 234-kilometer journey, attempted to illegally enter Ongjin County, Incheon, the following day.