Korean Coast Guard officials apprehend Chinese nationals attempting to illegally enter a coastal area in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, Oct. 3, in this photo provided by the Korea Coast Guard Station Boryeong. Yonhap
The Coast Guard apprehended 22 Chinese nationals Tuesday suspected of attempting to illegally enter a western coastal city by boat, officials said.
The group of Chinese nationals, known to be around their 40s, faces charges of attempting to flee after jumping off the vessel in waters near a port in Boryeong, 140 kilometers south of Seoul, at 1:53 a.m., according to the officials.
Coast Guard officials arrived at the scene after being tipped off by military authorities on the unidentified boat approaching waters near the coastal city.
While 21 of the Chinese nationals were caught near the port after swimming their way to the coast wearing life vests, one of them fled the scene.
The police later caught the individual in Ansan, 29 kilometers south of Seoul, and handed the person over to the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard also went after the boat that smuggled the Chinese nationals, but the vessel left Korea's territorial waters at about 7:40 a.m.
It believes the boat came from China's eastern port city of Weihai and sent a request to Chinese authorities for cooperation in apprehending it.
A Coast Guard official said an investigation into the details of the crime has yet to take place as authorities are currently conducting a probe into the possibility of espionage. (Yonhap)
![[INTERVIEW] Ex-NIS chief urges politicians to stop misusing spy agency](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/59da8df88faa4a50ad42945501b03bca.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[REVIEW] Musical 'Monte Cristo' returns with riveting tale of vengeance, love](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/3934be1fa6844478b619a015d610bc5b.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Meet the man behind giant rubber ducks that once took over Seoul](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/df32c60c8204448e98ccdb9841366bec.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
