Mystery deepens as crewless Chinese fishing boats appear near Korea's border islands

Korea Coast Guard says it has found three abandoned, unmanned foreign fishing vessels believed to be Chinese near South Korea’s Yellow Sea border islands since June, a pattern that is stressing local authorities and raising questions about how the boats are being left behind. The incidents occurred near five islands in Ongjin County—Baengnyeong, Daecheong, Socheong, Yeonpyeong and Soyeongpyeong. Cases include a Chinese- believed vessel that caught fire on June 2, another taking on water reported July 18 near the Northern Limit Line, and a wooden boat that sank Sept. 9 near Yeonpyeong, prompting joint search efforts. Possible explanations mentioned include China’s crackdown since May on unlicensed fishing, mechanical failure, or drift from currents. Korea says it needs resources for investigation and humanitarian search obligations.