A Navy sailor who was on a patrol mission near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the East Sea has gone missing today (July 12), and authorities are currently conducting a search operation.

The Navy announced through a press release today, "A sailor serving on a Navy vessel performing patrol duties went missing this morning in waters approximately 50 km east of Geojin-eup, Goseong-gun, in the East Sea."

The missing sailor is a private first class, and the vessel is reported to be a frigate.

The sailor was reportedly last seen in an interior passageway of the frigate by a crew member on duty who was conducting a patrol inside the ship between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. today.

It is understood that the disappearance was discovered when the sailor failed to report for duty at 8:00 a.m.

The Navy, in coordination with the Coast Guard, has deployed over 10 vessels and several aircraft to search for the missing sailor.

The Navy further stated, "We have also disseminated the situation to fishing boats operating in the area and nearby merchant ships, and are cooperating with them in the search."

It is reported that the fact of the disappearance has also been notified to North Korea through the international merchant ship communication network, which is accessible to the North.

Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back received a report on the incident this morning and ordered that all possible efforts be made to rescue the missing sailor as quickly and safely as possible.

The Ministry of National Defense explained that the Minister also ordered the maintenance of an active cooperation system with relevant agencies, including the Coast Guard.

(Photo: Yonhap News)