Jeju Fisherman Sparks Pre-Dawn Search After Leaving Rods Behind

A fisherman in his 30s triggered a pre-dawn search on Jeju Island after another angler reported that he had disappeared from a breakwater while leaving his fishing equipment behind.

The Jeju Fire and Safety Headquarters received the report at 1:40 a.m. on the Hwabuk breakwater in Jeju City. Fourteen rescuers and a drone searched the area, but they had not found him by 2:59 a.m.

The search resumed at 5:31 a.m. About an hour later, officials found the man fishing at the breakwater. Fire officials believe he had left his equipment there while going to and returning from his home.

A similar search took place on the nearby Chuja Islands on the sixth of the month, when a man in his 60s left fishing gear on coastal rocks and disappeared. A helicopter joined that search before authorities determined he had gone to his accommodation.