Korea Coast Guard launches special maritime safety management

The Korea Coast Guard has initiated a special maritime safety management period through the end of the month following a series of vessel capsizing and sinking accidents in South Korean waters. Recent incidents include a 286-ton vessel capsizing in Busan, resulting in one death and ongoing searches for six others, and a motorboat accident in Incheon where two people died.

In separate incidents in Incheon and Dangjin, motorboats capsized and sank, though all passengers in those specific cases were rescued. In response to these recurring accidents, maritime authorities are increasing patrols, deploying rescue equipment to high-risk areas, and maintaining a 24-hour emergency response stance.

Authorities are also intensifying enforcement against safety violations, such as failure to wear life jackets, overloading vessels, and exceeding passenger limits. Officials have urged the public to check weather conditions before departing and to strictly adhere to basic safety protocols to minimize casualties.