A South Korean passenger ferry with 267 people aboard ran aground off the southwestern coast after the helmsman reportedly looked at a mobile phone and allowed autopilot to steer in an area that required manual control. All aboard were evacuated; 246 passengers were taken to a nearby port and 27 people received treatment for minor injuries. The coast guard called the conduct "clear negligence" and plans to press criminal charges, while President Lee ordered swift rescue efforts and live public updates.
South Korean Ferry Runs Aground After Helmsman Distracted by Mobile Phone; 267 Evacuated
A South Korean passenger ferry with 267 people aboard ran aground off the southwestern coast after the helmsman reportedly looked at a mobile phone and allowed autopilot to steer in an area that required manual control. All aboard were evacuated; 246 passengers were taken to a nearby port and 27 people received treatment for minor injuries. The coast guard called the conduct "clear negligence" and plans to press criminal charges, while President Lee ordered swift rescue efforts and live public updates.
01:03 PM, 11/20/2025Society
A South Korean passenger ferry carrying 267 people ran aground off the country’s southwestern coast late Wednesday after the helmsman reportedly became distracted by his mobile phone, officials said.
The vessel was making the crossing from Jeju Island to Mokpo when it struck an uninhabited island shortly after 8:00 pm (1100 GMT). A preliminary investigation by the coast guard found that the officer at the helm had been looking at his phone and allowed autopilot to take control in an area that required manual steering.
The coast guard said that, as a result, "the vessel missed the proper moment to change course, veered toward the uninhabited island and ran aground." Authorities described the conduct as clear negligence and plan to press criminal charges against the crew member involved.
All 267 people aboard were evacuated safely. Rescue ships transported 246 passengers to a nearby port, while 21 crew members remained on the ferry. The vessel was later brought into Mokpo at around 5:44 am. Officials reported 27 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries such as headaches and back pain.
Coast Guard Commissioner Kim Yong-jin said a preliminary assessment pointed to errors by the crew as a likely cause of the accident. Photographs released by authorities showed the ferry’s bow pressed against the island’s tree-lined shore and passengers waiting to be rescued, many wearing life vests.
President Lee Jae Myung ordered swift rescue operations and asked officials to provide real-time public updates. The incident revived painful memories of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, when more than 470 people were aboard and 304 lives were lost after that vessel capsized off the same coast.
What authorities are doing next
Investigators are continuing to examine the sequence of events and the ship's voyage data recorder. Criminal proceedings against the officer on duty have been announced pending the outcome of the full probe. Safety officials said the case highlights concerns about bridge resource management and adherence to manual-steering procedures in complex or nearshore waters.