Amid Surge in Drug Trafficking and Illegal Fishing, Coast Guard Patrol Aircraft Fleet Stagnant for 14 Years

Only Six Fixed-Wing Aircraft in Operation
Half Are Under Maintenance Throughout the Year
Seosamsuk Urges “Additional Aircraft Needed to Secure Maritime Sovereignty”

Seosamsuk, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker.

Despite a recent surge in maritime drug trafficking, illegal fishing crackdowns, and long-distance rescue operations, the introduction of additional maritime patrol aircraft for the Korea Coast Guard has been halted for 14 years since 2012, raising serious concerns over maritime safety. As of now, the Coast Guard operates only six fixed-wing aircraft, all of which have been in service since 2001. The aging of these aircraft has led to a decline in their operational rate, heightening fears of gaps in maritime security.

On October 10, Seosamsuk, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea (Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan in South Jeolla Province), analyzed the National Assembly audit data titled “Status of Fixed-Wing Aircraft (Coast Guard Patrol Aircraft) Operations,” submitted by the Korea Coast Guard. The analysis revealed that the number of patrol aircraft in operation remains at just six.

Unlike helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft are essential resources for monitoring vast sea areas and responding to situations regardless of day or night, weather conditions, or distance. However, delays in acquiring additional aircraft and the ongoing aging of the existing fleet are undermining operational capabilities.

For example, the Coast Guard’s aircraft No. 701, introduced in 2001, saw its annual maintenance days surge from 30 days in 2020 to 185 days in 2024-a more than sixfold increase. Over the past five years, this aircraft was unable to operate for a total of 835 days, averaging 170 days per year. The overall operational rate of Coast Guard patrol aircraft also plummeted from 84% in 2020 to 62% last year.

The Coast Guard’s aircraft No. 702, stationed at Muan Airport, was scheduled to be relocated after airport operations were suspended following the Jeju aircraft accident in December last year. However, due to a lack of hangar facilities and other issues, the aircraft was left idle for as long as six months and was only redeployed in May of this year.

The shortage of patrol aircraft is resulting in gaps in maritime response. Currently, Coast Guard patrol aircraft are concentrated at Gimpo and Muan airports on the west coast, making it difficult to respond quickly to incidents in the East Sea, including the area around Dokdo. Although the government is promoting the development of the Arctic route as a logistics, shipping, and port hub, there are expected limitations in ensuring maritime safety and crisis response when incidents occur.

The Coast Guard set a goal in 2015 to operate 11 patrol aircraft, and in 2023, it raised the target to 15. However, it was confirmed that the government never once requested a budget for additional patrol aircraft. In contrast, for helicopters, a “Plan Improvement Study for Large Helicopter Acquisition” was commissioned in July this year, indicating that patrol aircraft acquisition has been neglected.

Seosamsuk stated, “The introduction of additional Coast Guard patrol aircraft is a critical foundation for realizing unwavering maritime sovereignty and safe seas-key policy goals of the Lee Jaemyung administration-and for meeting the growing demand for maritime security. The Coast Guard must not let these plans remain mere words, but should actively strive to include acquisition costs in next year’s budget proposal.”