Commercial Boat Capsizes Near Jeju Island, Two Dead, Rescue Teams Search Rough Waters

Jeju, South Korea— A commercial fishing boat overturned in waters off Jeju Island early on November 1, 2026, killing two crew members and triggering a full-scale rescue response from maritime authorities.

The vessel, reported to be carrying five crew, capsized around dawn about 12 kilometers southwest of the island's main port. The coast guard said it received a distress signal just after 5:40 a.m. local time. Patrol boats and a helicopter were dispatched. Two bodies were recovered within the first hour.

Three crew members survived. They clung to the hull. Fishermen working nearby pulled them from the water before patrol boats arrived. One survivor was taken to Jeju National University Hospital with hypothermia. Officials said his condition is stable.

The sea was rough. Winds were high overnight. The Korea Meteorological Administration had issued a wind advisory for the southern sea area. Investigators are looking at whether the boat took on water after being hit broadside by a swell.

"Weather conditions were difficult. The vessel lost stability quickly," a Jeju Coast Guard official said in a briefing. "We are focused on recovery and understanding the sequence."

Yonhap News identified the boat as a 29-ton coastal fishing vessel registered in Seogwipo. It had left port late Friday for an overnight operation targeting cutlassfish. The captain had more than 20 years of experience in those waters.

The coast guard has not raised the vessel. It remains partially submerged and drifting. A salvage team was placed on standby pending sea conditions. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries ordered a safety check for similar class vessels operating in the Jeju Strait.

Fishermen at the port gathered as news spread. The loss hit hard. The local fisheries cooperative said it would suspend operations for the day. Officials said the investigation will include the boat's load, balance, and radio logs.

Divers are expected to inspect the hull once it is secured. No additional crew were reported missing.