South Korean Ferry Grounds Near Mokpo, All 267 Safe

A South Korean passenger ferry carrying 267 people ran aground on an uninhabited rocky islet off the southwestern coast late Wednesday, prompting a swift rescue operation that safely evacuated all aboard without any fatalities. The incident occurred around 8:17 p.m. local time as the 26,546-tonne vessel Queen Jenuvia 2 approached the port city of Mokpo from Jeju Island, highlighting concerns over navigation in the region's narrow, island-dotted channels.

Coast guard officials reported that the ferry, which departed Jeju at 4:45 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Mokpo by 9 p.m., struck the islet near Jindo and Jangsando in South Jeolla Province after failing to execute a required course correction. The ship was traveling at 22 knots, within regulatory limits, but did not veer as needed in the confined waterway, where manual steering is standard practice to avoid hazards like reefs and strong currents. Preliminary findings pointed to human error: the first officer, who was at the helm, admitted to watching news on his mobile phone while the autopilot remained engaged too long, allowing the vessel to drift off course.

In response, authorities launched an immediate rescue effort,...