Last year, the number of deaths and missing persons from fishing vessel accidents reached 119, the highest in 10 years. Recently, as there have been reported casualties from fishing vessel accidents in the waters near Jeju and then in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, there has been a significant increase in actual related deaths and disappearances over the past year. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been implementing safety measures for fishing vessels, leading to criticism that these efforts are ineffective.
According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the number of deaths and missing persons due to fishing vessel capsizing, sinking, collision, and accidents increased by 52% (41 persons) from 78 in 2023 to 119 last year. This is the highest figure since 2014 and the first time in seven years that the number of deaths and missing persons has reached three digits since 2017.
Approximately 2,000 fishing vessel accidents occur each year. The number of deaths and missing persons from fishing vessel accidents decreased for three consecutive years from 99 in 2020, but surged last year.
In particular, in March of last year, five fishing vessel accidents occurred, resulting in 18 casualties (11 dead and 7 missing). In response, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced tailored safety management measures for fishing vessels in May of last year to prevent capsizing and sinking accidents. However, fishing vessel accidents continue to rise sharply. The Ministry has not been able to clearly explain the reasons for the increase in casualties.
The total number of deaths and missing persons from marine accidents, including fishing vessel accidents, last year was 165, the highest since the Sewol ferry disaster in 2014. The number of deaths and missing persons from marine accidents decreased from 126 in 2020 to 94 in 2023, but surged by 76% (71 persons) last year.
This year, fishing vessel accidents have continued to occur. On the 1st, a nearshore fishing vessel ran aground on coastal rocks near Jeju, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and one missing person. On the same day, a 139-ton large trawler, the 22nd Seogyeongho, sank in the waters off Yeosu with 14 people on board. The Coast Guard and civilian fishing vessels dispatched for search and rescue managed to save eight people from the accident area, but three individuals died, and one is in cardiac arrest. The Coast Guard continues to search for the remaining six missing persons.