A search operation is underway after a Navy sailor went missing while on patrol near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the East Sea.

The Navy announced through a press release, "A sailor serving on a Navy vessel on patrol duty went missing this morning in waters approximately 50 kilometers 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 ship by a crew member who was on duty patrolling the interior 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 person.

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

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 also accessible to the North.

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

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

(Photo: Yonhap News)