31 Chinese nationals caught after illegally entering South Korea via Taean coast

August 17, 2026

Seoul: South Korean authorities have caught 31 Chinese nationals who allegedly entered the country illegally through the west coast in Taean over the past eight years, the South Korean Coast Guard said on Monday.

31 Chinese nationals apprehended since 2019

According to Coast Guard officials, 31 Chinese nationals were apprehended in waters off Taean County or on its beaches between September 2019 and May this year. Taean is located more than 100 km southwest of Seoul.

In September 2019, three Chinese nationals were caught after reaching a beach in Taean aboard a rubber boat. Last year, another eight were apprehended after arriving in the county on a 4.3-metre-long boat.

Latest case involved Chinese dissident

In the latest incident on May 25, Chinese dissident Dong Guangping was caught after allegedly entering South Korea illegally through waters off Taean.

The incident marked the seventh illegal entry attempt by Chinese nationals along the coast since late 2019, according to Coast Guard officials. Dong, who had reportedly been jailed several times in China, was later allowed to leave South Korea. The New York Times reported that he arrived in Canada in June.

Most had previously worked in South Korea

Coast Guard officials said 25 of the 31 Chinese nationals had previously worked in South Korea.

Most had reportedly been deported after overstaying and later attempted to re-enter the country illegally because they had no legal means of returning, officials said.

The Coast Guard said most illegal entry attempts occurred between April and May or September and October, when calmer sea conditions make it easier to navigate the waters.