Methods of Illegal Entry Shift from Fishing and Cargo Vessels to High-Speed Boats
In the Past Five Years, 54 Apprehended... 52 Were Chinese Nationals
On the morning of the 6th, eight Chinese nationals attempting illegal entry through the waters off Taean, Chungnam, while riding a leisure boat were apprehended and are currently under police investigation. Taean Coast Guard Photo by Yonhap News
It has been revealed that approximately 96% of those apprehended for illegal maritime entry over the past five years were Chinese nationals.
According to data submitted by Assemblyman Kim Seonkyo of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee, from the Korea Coast Guard, 52 out of 54 individuals caught for illegal maritime entry between 2020 and September 2025 were Chinese nationals.
Among the Chinese nationals, 46 entered the country illegally for employment purposes. In addition, three Chinese nationals entered illegally to assist other Chinese nationals in Korea with illegal departure, two entered due to debt issues, and one entered to visit family members residing in Korea. The two Korean nationals who attempted illegal entry were found to have left the country to avoid criminal punishment and were caught trying to re-enter Korea.
According to the Coast Guard, methods of illegal maritime entry have shifted from using fishing boats and cargo ships in the past to more recently landing directly using small high-speed boats or jet skis.
Assemblyman Kim Seonkyo stated, "The Coast Guard must thoroughly monitor and inspect the increasingly sophisticated methods of illegal maritime entry, and make every effort, including proactive crackdowns, to prevent any damages resulting from such activities."
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