Jumping into the Sea to Evade Life Jacket Crackdown... Identities of 3 Detained Cause a Stir

The Boryeong Coast Guard in South Chungcheong Province announced today (August 18) that it has apprehended three undocumented Vietnamese nationals on charges of violating the Immigration Control Act and handed them over to the immigration office.

According to the Coast Guard, at 11:30 a.m. yesterday, officers spotted a foreign crew member aboard a 69-ton offshore squid jigging boat moving within Daecheon Port in Boryeong not wearing a life jacket and requested identification. One of the individuals, a man in his 30s identified as A, refused to comply and jumped into the sea in an attempt to escape before being caught.

Through an additional search of the vessel, the Coast Guard apprehended two other undocumented immigrants in their 20s and 30s who were hiding in the stern deck and a bedroom storage room.

Investigations revealed that all three had continued to stay and work in South Korea even though their visas had expired prior to 2024.

It was confirmed that A, who jumped into the sea, had been staying illegally in the country for seven years following the expiration of his visa in 2019.

Jang Yoon-seok, head of the Boryeong Coast Guard, said, "We are stepping up inspections and searches on ports, harbors, and vessels to guard against maritime smuggling and illegal boarding by undocumented foreigners," adding, "We will continue to do our utmost to establish maritime security and order and ensure public safety."
(Photo provided by Boryeong Coast Guard, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.