South Korean Coastal Police Arrest 22 Chinese Citizens Who Entered Illegally

JAKARTA - South Korean Coastal Police arrested 22 Chinese nationals on Tuesday who were suspected of trying to illegally enter the west coast city by boat, according to local officials.

Reported by ANTARA from Yonhap-OANA, Tuesday, October 3, a group of Chinese nationals, known to be in their 40s, face charges of attempted escape after jumping from a boat in waters near the port in Boryeong, 140 kilometers south of Seoul, at 01.53 am local time. local, according to officials.

Coastal Police arrived at the location after receiving information from military authorities about an unknown boat entering the waters of the coastal city.

One of the 22 Chinese citizens managed to escape while the others were caught near the harbor while swimming using life vests.

However, the police managed to arrest the resident in Ansan, 29 kilometers south of Seoul, and handed him over to the Coastal Police.

The police also tried to chase the boat that was smuggling the Chinese citizens, but the boat left South Korean waters at 07.40 am local time.

It is believed the boat came from China's eastern port city of Weihai and police have asked Chinese authorities for cooperation in capturing it.

A Beach Police official said an investigation into the details of the crime had not yet been carried out as authorities were currently conducting an investigation into possible espionage.