A South Korean sailor has gone missing while performing a security mission near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), prompting the government to request North Korea's assistance in the search and recovery efforts.
On July 12, the Ministry of Unification issued a press release titled "Request for North Korean Cooperation in Search and Recovery of Missing Sailor," stating, "One sailor from a naval vessel on duty in the East Sea has gone missing and is believed to have drifted north of the NLL." The ministry urged North Korea to cooperate in the search and recovery from a humanitarian perspective.
While it has not been confirmed whether the missing sailor has crossed into North Korean waters, the ministry explained that the proximity of the disappearance to the NLL warranted a proactive request for cooperation. Given that all official communication channels between the two Koreas are currently severed, the message was conveyed through the media.
The Ministry of National Defense also confirmed that search operations are ongoing. A defense official stated, "The military is keeping all possibilities open and is working closely with relevant agencies to ensure the safe search and recovery of the missing sailor."
The missing sailor has been identified as a private first class from a naval escort ship, who was on duty approximately 50 kilometers east of Goseong, Gangwon Province, on the morning of the incident.
The Navy and Coast Guard have deployed over ten vessels and aircraft to conduct search operations, and it is reported that the missing person's status has been communicated to North Korea through the international maritime distress communication network, which is accessible to the North.
On July 12, the Ministry of Unification issued a press release titled "Request for North Korean Cooperation in Search and Recovery of Missing Sailor," stating, "One sailor from a naval vessel on duty in the East Sea has gone missing and is believed to have drifted north of the NLL." The ministry urged North Korea to cooperate in the search and recovery from a humanitarian perspective.
While it has not been confirmed whether the missing sailor has crossed into North Korean waters, the ministry explained that the proximity of the disappearance to the NLL warranted a proactive request for cooperation. Given that all official communication channels between the two Koreas are currently severed, the message was conveyed through the media.
The Ministry of National Defense also confirmed that search operations are ongoing. A defense official stated, "The military is keeping all possibilities open and is working closely with relevant agencies to ensure the safe search and recovery of the missing sailor."
The missing sailor has been identified as a private first class from a naval escort ship, who was on duty approximately 50 kilometers east of Goseong, Gangwon Province, on the morning of the incident.
The Navy and Coast Guard have deployed over ten vessels and aircraft to conduct search operations, and it is reported that the missing person's status has been communicated to North Korea through the international maritime distress communication network, which is accessible to the North.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.