1. The government of the Republic of Korea, immediately after learning about the incident involving the fishing vessel whose crew includes ROK nationals and with which communication was cut off while sailing in the Indian Ocean on May 27, swiftly took steps to handle the aftermath of the incident, including putting into gear its headquarters for protecting overseas Koreans and promptly relaying information on the situation to relevant government agencies and the diplomatic missions near the scene, including those in Oman and India.

° On May 27, the Foreign Ministry presided over an interagency meeting to seek ways to address the situation. Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry has kept contact and worked closely with such relevant government agencies as the Ministry of Public Safety and Security, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Ministry of National Defense to coordinate measures for ensuring the safety of the crew of the fishing vessel.

2. In addition, the government immediately sent its military assets sailing in waters near Oman to the incident site, while making diplomatic efforts for such major countries as the US, the EU, Japan and China as well as Oman, India and Kenya -- countries in the vicinity of the incident site -- to deploy their military assets to the scene.

° As a result of such efforts, maritime surveillance aircraft of Japan, Germany and India flew over where the incident is assumed to have occurred and Somalia, while warships of the UK, Pakistan and Italy embarked on search operations in waters near the scene.

3. Throughout the course of handling the aftermath of the incident, the National Security Office of Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office, functioning as the control tower, worked closely with the Foreign Ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

4. Upon being briefed on this incident, Chung Eui-yong, chief of Cheong Wa Dae’s National Security Office, immediately informed President Moon Jae-in of the situation, who instructed the Foreign Ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to do their utmost to rescue the crewmen with their top priority placed on saving their lives.

° National Security Office chief Chung, continuously monitoring the situation along with other officials of the Office and the crisis management team, briefed President Moon on the situation as often as necessary until it came to an end. Upon confirming for sure the safety of the ROK nationals involved, he reported it to the President.

° President Moon instructed that the public be given detailed information on the measures the government had taken to handle the aftermath of the incident.

5. In the course of its rescue operations, the government contacted the families of the ROK nationals who had gone missing and explained in detail the measures the government was taking.


* unofficial translation