South Korea is experiencing a sharp increase in fisherman fatalities, with deaths and disappearances surging 75% last year, as climate change intensifies weather hazards and disrupts fish stocks, forcing crews into riskier waters. The South Korean government has launched an investigation, citing climate change as a key factor alongside an aging workforce, reliance on migrant labor, and poor safety training.
In February, a fishing boat owned by Hong Suk-hui capsized near Jeju Island, drowning five of the ten crew members. Hong described the seas as becoming more dangerous, with sudden whirlwinds and unpredictable weather that he attributes to climate change. Last year, 164 people were killed or went missing in maritime accidents around South Korea, a significant jump from the previous year, with most victims being fishermen.
The government’s taskforce, led by Professor Gug Seung-gi, identified climate change as a major cause, noting that South Korea’s seas are warming more rapidly than the global average. Between 1968 and 2024, average surface temperatures increased by 1.58°C, more than double the global rise, contributing to extreme weather like typhoons and sudden wind gusts. This warming is also causing fish species, such as hairtail and anchovies, to migrate, compelling fishermen to voyage farther into perilous waters.
Fishermen like Kim Seung-hwan report that popular fish are disappearing from local waters, forcing journeys as far south as Taiwan to maintain catches. This extended travel increases exposure to storms, as boats cannot always return quickly during warnings. Kim noted that winds have become more unpredictable and dangerous, exacerbating risks for small vessels not designed for long, rough trips.
Captain Park Hyung-il, an anchovy fisherman for over 25 years, illustrated the economic strain, with catches plummeting and often yielding worthless hauls filled with jellyfish instead of marketable fish. He lamented that the sea is “a mess,” with anchovy catches down 46% over the past decade and squid catches plunging 92%, eroding livelihoods and pride in the profession.
Compounding the dangers, South Korea’s fishing workforce is aging rapidly, with nearly half over 65 years old, up from less than a third a decade ago. Elderly captains increasingly rely on migrant workers from Vietnam and Indonesia, who often lack sufficient safety training and face language barriers, hindering communication during emergencies. Woojin Chung of the Environmental Justice Foundation described this as a “vicious and tragic cycle” where extreme weather, pressure to travel farther, and reliance on cheap labor heighten disaster risks.
In response, authorities are implementing safety measures, including on-the-spot boat inspections, recommendations for life jackets and safety ladders, and mandatory training for foreign crew. Some regions are offering payments for jellyfish catches to clean up seas and loans to support struggling fishermen. However, the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation forecasts a nearly one-third decline in South Korea’s fish catches by the end of the century if carbon emissions continue unchecked.
The future appears bleak for fishermen like Captain Park, who has turned to YouTube to supplement income and doubts the next generation will continue the trade. Despite efforts to improve safety, the intertwining of climate change, economic pressures, and demographic shifts suggests that without broader environmental action, the tragedy in Korean waters will persist.