Rough seas cause capsizing of 29‑ton coastal trawler off Jeju Island

A 29‑ton coastal longline fishing vessel overturned off Jeju Island early Monday, amid rough sea conditions that hampered rescue efforts. The capsizing occurred at approximately 03:04, about 65 kilometres north‑west of Chagwi Island.

Eleven crew members were on the boat at the time. Nearby fishing vessels were the first to reach the scene, helping to extract nine survivors—eight from Indonesia and one from Vietnam. Their health status is presently stable.

The ship’s captain and one Indonesian crew member remain missing. The South Korean coast guard promptly activated a large‑scale search, deploying helicopters, patrol craft, a navy vessel and numerous civilian fishing boats to locate the two missing individuals.

Meteorological data recorded north‑west winds blowing at 12‑14 metres per second and wave heights of roughly two metres, conditions that contributed to the vessel’s instability and complicated rescue operations.

Initial statements indicated the boat would depart with eight crew members, but later verification confirmed eleven people were aboard. The exact trigger for the capsize is still being examined.

Prime Minister Han Seung‑sook ordered the deployment of all available resources, stressing the importance of confirming the missing crew’s identities and ensuring the safety of rescue personnel operating in the demanding maritime environment.