SEOUL (The Korea Herald/ANN): Small fishing ports that have become popular swimming spots along South Korea’s coasts are set to face new restrictions, as the authorities move to ban certain recreational water activities over safety concerns.
To prevent a rise in accidents caused by diving and swimming, the authorities will impose fines of up to 500,000 won (S$420) for recreational water activities at fishing ports.
Critics, however, argue that many of these places have long served as summer gathering spots for locals. Opposition has been particularly strong on Jeju Island, where such ports have become popular among both domestic and international visitors.
Under the revised Fishing Villages and Fishery Harbors Act, passed in March, swimming and other recreational water activities, as well as cooking and camping, will be prohibited at fishing ports regardless of whether boats are actively using the facilities. Fines for violations will begin to be imposed in April 2027.
The ban comes after underused coastal ports drew growing crowds, with videos of people diving into Jeju’s clear turquoise waters going viral on social media since the early 2020s.
Compared with large commercial harbours crowded with cargo vessels and fishing boats, many smaller ports across South Korea have seen little use in recent years due to ageing rural populations. As a result, some naturally evolved into places where people could enjoy relatively clean and calm waters for swimming and snorkelling.
Among the best-known examples are Panpo Port and Wolryeong Port in western Jeju, while several small ports along the East Sea coast have also recently drawn visitors seeking summer water activities.
However, the surge in popularity has also led to growing safety concerns, as ports lack the safety standards applied to beaches or swimming pools. Reports of drunken diving and night-time swimming have also continued.
Data from the Jeju Regional Coast Guard Station showed that an average of eight drowning-related accidents occurred at Jeju ports during the June-to-August summer season between 2022 and 2024, while the number rose to 13 in 2025. Nearby residents have also complained about growing noise and trash problems.
“Ports are facilities that do not meet safety standards like swimming pools, and there are no rescue personnel available in case of accidents,” a coast guard official said.
“In some cases, people jumped in carelessly and ended up injured or killed.”
Social media users remain divided over the issue. Many criticised reckless visitors for worsening safety conditions, while also accusing the authorities of imposing an indiscriminate ban instead of finding ways to preserve the longstanding local culture of swimming at ports under safer conditions.
Others, however, sympathised with the authorities, arguing that previous nonbinding guidance had failed to stop dangerous behavior, with visitors continuing to dive under risky conditions.
Meanwhile, local media reported that some accommodations have been receiving summer inquiries earlier than usual from travellers hoping to enjoy the ports one last time before the restrictions take effect.
The local authorities plan to dispatch additional safety personnel during the peak vacation season in 2026. -- THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
