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The number of international crimes that disrupt Korea's maritime safety order has increased, including smuggling, illegal entry, and crimes linked by Koreans and foreigners. Korea Coast Guard conducted an intensive crackdown on international crimes between January and June, uncovering 193 cases and arresting 308 people, and imprisoned 17 of them. Compared to last year, the number of arrests (111 to 193 cases) increased by 73 percent and the number of imprisonments (219 to 308) increased by 40 percent.
By type, border-infringing crimes such as smuggling, illegal entry, and immigration offenses accounted for 55 percent, followed by 22 percent of safety threats, such as the distribution of substandard marine safety products. Smuggling out foreign currency accounted 2 percent, and 1 percent for crimes related to foreign human rights.
The increase in the number of international crimes arrests in the first half of this year was attributed to the KCG's intensive crackdown on four key areas: border management, public safety, protection of national interests, and protection of human rights through analysis of international crime statistics. At the same time, it is also the result of strengthening the expertise of investigative personnel by introducing a task force this year.
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