Two Arrested Following Ferry Grounding off South Korean Coast – November 18, 2025

Introduction
South Korean authorities have arrested two crew members and placed the captain under formal investigation following the grounding of the Queen Jenuvia II ferry (IMO 9901386) on rocky shallows near Jogdo Island, close to Jangsan Island in Shinan County. The incident, which occurred off the country’s southwestern coast, left 27 people injured but resulted in no fatalities.

Details of the Incident

Grounding and Evacuation:

• The Korea-flagged ferry was sailing from Jeju Island to Mokpo when it ran aground on the morning of November 18, 2025, striking rocky shallows near the uninhabited Jogdo Island.
• All 267 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, though 27 people sustained minor injuries from the impact and were treated locally.
• Emergency rescue teams and coast guard vessels responded immediately, assisting in stabilizing the ferry and transferring passengers to safety.

Arrests and Investigation:

• The Korean Coast Guard confirmed the arrests of the helmsman and first mate on charges of gross negligence resulting in injury.
• The helmsman initially claimed a steering malfunction caused the accident but later admitted his attention had been diverted by his mobile phone, causing him to miss a crucial navigational waypoint.
• The captain remains under investigation for potential supervisory negligence.
• The ferry has since been moved to a nearby port for inspection and damage assessment.

Eyewitness Accounts:

• Passengers described a loud impact followed by the ship listing sharply to one side before crew members instructed everyone to don life jackets and assemble on the upper deck.
• According to one survivor interviewed by Yonhap News Agency, memories of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster—which killed over 300 people—motivated many passengers to remain calm and follow safety instructions carefully.

Safety and Context:

• The grounding occurred in a region known for heavy marine traffic and challenging navigation channels between Jeju Island and Mokpo.
• South Korean maritime regulators are reviewing the ferry company’s compliance with safety and training requirements.
• The incident has renewed public focus on vessel navigation standards and crew discipline, especially amid lingering national sensitivities over ferry safety following the Sewol tragedy.

Aftermath:

• The Queen Jenuvia II remains under technical inspection to determine the extent of hull and mechanical damage.
• The ferry operator, whose name has not yet been released, faces possible administrative penalties pending the investigation outcome.
• All injured passengers have been released from hospital, and ferry operations on the route have resumed under increased oversight.