Deep-sea fisherman's remains return to South Korea after 37 years in Senegal

The remains of a South Korean deep-sea fishing crew member, interred in Senegal for 37 years, are finally returning home. A memorial service was held on November 11 by the Korea Deep Sea Fisheries Association for the repatriation of the single set of remains. The individual died in an accident in the 1980s and was buried in Dakar, Senegal.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been actively managing overseas graves of Korean deep-sea fishermen since 2002 through its "Overseas Fishermen's Grave Maintenance Project." With assistance from local Korean communities, the ministry maintains 272 graves in seven countries, including Samoa, Spain, and Senegal. Since 2014, the ministry has also worked with local governments to repatriate remains to South Korea if requested by surviving families.

This repatriation marks the 40th such case facilitated by the ministry. Yang Young-jin, director of fisheries policy at the ministry, expressed gratitude to the South Korean Embassy in Senegal and the honorary maritime attaché for their three years of effort in arranging the repatriation. Families wishing to repatriate the remains of deep-sea fishermen buried overseas can contact the Korea Deep Sea Fisheries Association for assistance.

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We are grateful to the officials, including the South Korean Embassy in Senegal and the honorary maritime attaché, who have worked hard for three years for this repatriation.