South Korea's Coast Guard sought an arrest warrant for the captain of a passenger ferry that ran aground off the southwestern coast a week ago. The captain faces charges for leaving the wheelhouse to rest during the incident. All 267 people aboard were safely rescued, though 30 received treatment for minor injuries.
On Wednesday, November 19, the 26,546-ton passenger ferry Queen Jenuvia II ran aground on the uninhabited islet of Jok off the coast of Sinan in South Jeolla Province, about 350 kilometers south of Seoul, while en route from Jeju Island to the southwestern city of Mokpo. All 246 passengers and 21 crew members, totaling 267 people, were safely rescued, but 30 received hospital treatment for pains or nervous breakdowns. No serious injuries were reported.
The Mokpo Coast Guard took charge of the investigation immediately after the incident. On Thursday, November 20, the first mate and helmsman, both in their 40s, were detained on charges of causing injury by gross negligence and violating the Seafarers Act for failing to properly steer the vessel in narrow waters while on autopilot. The first mate admitted to briefly checking the Naver internet portal on his phone but claimed he manually controlled the ferry during course changes.
During a court hearing on Saturday, November 22, at the Mokpo branch of the Gwangju District Court, arrest warrants were approved due to concerns over evidence destruction or flight risk. The first mate apologized, saying, "I am very sorry for causing harm to the passengers," and added he felt "especially sorry" for a pregnant woman among the 30 injured. The Indonesian helmsman declined to comment.
On Sunday, November 23, the Coast Guard sought an arrest warrant for the captain, in his 60s, accused of abandoning his duties by leaving the wheelhouse to rest in his cabin. The incident has sparked discussions on enhancing maritime safety measures in South Korea.
