Ex-convict fresh out of prison arrested for false report of sinking boat

"My boat is adrift near Gunsan, and it is sinking."

A man called 122, a maritime emergency telephone number, on February 18, when a high sea warning banned all fishing boats from leaving ports and harbors. The Korea Coast Guard hurried sent two patrol boats and 27 officers to the area to locate the boat in distress.

While the coast guards were anxious not to lose the "golden time" for a rescue, the caller changed his statement. In another call to 122, he reported that nothing had happened. Asked to specify the location of the sinking boat, the caller even complained about the coast guard operator`s continued questions. The false report cost the Coast Guard 2 million won (1,817 U.S. dollars) worth of fuel.

Later, the Coast Guard found that the caller was a 40-year-old man and had called from land. The man, identified only as Kim, made the emergency call while riding a taxi from Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province to Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. After completing his prison time on the previous day, he made the false report because there was no boat service to take him back home because of the bad weather.

A local coast guard station said Thursday that it had taken Kim into custody on charges of obstruction of the execution of official duty. The Coast Guard also plans to file a damage lawsuit against him.

kej09@donga.com