Authorities investigate rubber boat found on Jeju shoreline

Authorities launched an investigation after discovering an unidentified rubber boat on the shore of Jeju Island on Monday.

Vacationers swim at Hamdeok Beach in Jeju City on Aug. 30. [YONHAP]

Authorities launched an investigation after discovering an unidentified rubber boat on the shore of Jeju Island on Monday.

The Jeju Coast Guard received a report at 7:56 a.m. on Monday that a suspicious boat had been found near a haenyeo (women divers) dressing shelter in Yongsu-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City.

Coast Guard officers arrived at the scene at 8:20 a.m. and confirmed the presence of the boat. Inside, they found six life jackets, fishing rods and bread, identified as Chinese-made.

The Coast Guard, police and military are conducting a joint investigation to determine whether the boat was involved in an attempt to illegally enter the area or a maritime accident.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. BY KIM EUN-BIN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]