Navy searches for sailor missing during East Sea patrol
A port in Geojin, Gangwon Province / Korea Times file
A Navy sailor went missing Sunday while aboard a naval vessel on a patrol mission in the East Sea near the de facto inter-Korean maritime border, prompting a search operation, the military said.
The sailor, whose identity was withheld, was reported missing Sunday morning, while the vessel was on patrol about 50 kilometers off Geojin in Gangwon Province, near the Northern Limit Line, according to the military.
The Navy launched a search operation in cooperation with the Coast Guard, deploying around 10 ships and aircraft.
The sailor, who held the rank of seaman apprentice, was last seen by a crew member on the overnight watch aboard a Navy frigate between midnight and 2 a.m.
He was reported missing after failing to report for duty for the morning watch.
The military also notified North Korea of the disappearance through international merchant ship communication channels.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back instructed officials to do their utmost to rescue the missing sailor promptly and safely.