The Mokpo Coast Guard said it received a report at around 7:28 a.m. that the 200-ton ship was sinking in waters off Gageo Island, 422 km southwest of Seoul. However, it later said the ship submerged at a 45-degree starboard angle, the Yonhap news agency reported.
The Coast Guard is investigating whether there were any attempts at illegal entry into South Korea, citing no crewmen were found on the ship.
“We are searching the area because there is a possibility that people may have sneaked out of the ship,” a Coast Guard official said on condition of anonymity, citing policy.
AMK/PR
