'Went to Lunch Without Checking...' Coast Guard's 'Lax Discipline' as 17-Billion-Won Patrol Vessel Is Scrapped

Over the past five years, 14 accidents involving Korea Coast Guard patrol vessels have occurred. Cases have included an expensive vessel being scrapped because of basic safety-management failures and a newly built vessel colliding with a breakwater. Critics have also said accountability has been inadequate, as many people involved in the accidents received only light disciplinary measures, such as warnings or cautions.

According to National Assembly audit materials submitted by the Korea Coast Guard to Kim Seon-kyo of the People Power Party, a total of 14 accidents involving Coast Guard patrol vessels occurred from 2021 through September 2026.

A “Civilian-Government Joint Maritime Exercise with the Public,” simulating a complex maritime disaster involving a passenger ship accident caused by a tsunami, is underway on the 13th in the area around Yeongilman Port in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. Yonhap News

In March, a patrol vessel that had cost 17 billion won to build was flooded and scrapped because of lax management by the Coast Guard. The 300-ton vessel, operated by the Incheon Coast Guard, was flooded on March 25 after being sent to an outside repair company for maintenance. The staff responsible for overseeing it had left for lunch.

At the time, the hull sank while fuel was being supplied with the exhaust pipe open. Seawater flowed into the engine room after the exhaust outlet was submerged. The vessel was ultimately scrapped because the cost of repairs exceeded the economically viable limit.

An operational accident also occurred involving a newly built vessel that had cost 85 billion won. On March 20, just three months after its completion, the 3,000-ton vessel operated by the West Sea Special Security Unit for the Five West Sea Islands under the Central Regional Coast Guard Headquarters collided with a breakwater while entering Incheon Port. The Coast Guard cited an error in on-site judgment, in addition to strong currents and winds, as a cause of the accident.

Despite the repeated accidents, disciplinary measures against those involved were largely limited to warnings and cautions. A breakdown of penalties for each accident submitted by the Coast Guard showed that 22 of the 32 people subject to disciplinary action received a warning, a caution, or a non-disciplinary warning. Only one person was suspended.

“The latest patrol vessel, which cost 85 billion won, collided with a breakwater, while a vessel worth 17 billion won was scrapped after being flooded. These cases go beyond individual mistakes and show a breakdown in discipline across the organization,” Assemblyman Kim said. “The Coast Guard must thoroughly investigate the causes of repeated human error and its command and oversight systems, and restore discipline within the organization.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.