Minke whale found dead off Yeosu, sold for $51,000

The dead minke whale is lifted from a boat after being found dead in waters off Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday. Courtesy of Korea Coast Guard

Police check the carcass to discover whether the animal was hunted. Courtesy of Korea Coast Guard

By Jung Min-ho

A 6.1-meter minke whale that was found dead in waters off Yeosu Tuesday afternoon has been auctioned for 60 million won ($51,000).

It was the third such case in Korea this year.

According to the Korea Coast Guard Wednesday, a fisherman, surnamed Kim, 63, found the three-ton animal in a fixed net about 9.2 kilometers west of Sori Island, Yeosu, South Jeolla Province.

After inspecting the carcass, police said they did not find any signs it had been hunted.

Kim, who set up the net, received a certificate that enabled him to sell the whale.

Commercial whaling is banned in Korea, but retrieving dead whales is allowed.

A person who illegally kills a whale could face up to three years in prison or a maximum fine of 30 million won.