Three North Korean seafarers were rescued by the Japan Coast Guard on 17 September 2026 after their small boat encountered trouble in international waters. South Korea organized a search operation and requested search and rescue cooperation from authorities in Japan and Russia.
The incident involved a smaller boat being towed by a North Korean cargo ship. The boat ran into trouble about 65 miles southwest of Japan’s Oki islands and 125 miles from Pohang City, South Korea.
Four people were believed to have been aboard the boat, according to the South Korean Navy. The South Korean Coast Guard sent two patrol boats and an aircraft to the area, supported by naval vessels, and also notified fishing vessels operating nearby.
The East Sea Region of the South Korean Coast Guard requested assistance from rescue authorities in Japan and Russia. The Japan Coast Guard subsequently deployed patrol vessels and aircraft to participate in the search.
On 17 September 2026, the Japan Coast Guard located three of the missing seafarers. Two were conscious when recovered, while the third was unconscious. The fourth person remained missing, with the search continuing.
Lee Jong-wook, Acting Chief of the East Sea Korea Coast Guard, said the authorities had responded quickly and followed international and humanitarian principles that prioritize saving lives.
