Life jackets become mandatory for everyone on board a fishing vessel
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
From 1 July 2026, everyone on an exposed deck of a fishing vessel must wear a life jacket at all times, regardless of the weather or the number of people on board.
Key facts
| Start date | 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Everyone on an exposed deck of a fishing vessel (regardless of weather warnings or the number of people on board) |
| Fine for breaking the rule (skipper) | 900,000 won for a first offense, 1,500,000 won for a second, up to 3,000,000 won for a third or later offense |
| Governing law | Act on Safe Fishing Operations and the Promotion of the Safety and Health of Fishing Vessel Crew (어선안전조업 및 어선원의 안전·보건 증진 등에 관한 법률) |
Last checked:
From 1 July 2026, everyone on an exposed deck of a fishing vessel must wear a life jacket at all times, regardless of weather warnings or the number of people on board. The skipper has a duty to make those on board wear one, and a skipper who breaks the rule faces an administrative fine of 900,000 won for a first offense, 1,500,000 won for a second offense and up to 3,000,000 won for a third or later offense. The rule is based on the Act on Safe Fishing Operations and the Promotion of the Safety and Health of Fishing Vessel Crew (어선안전조업 및 어선원의 안전·보건 증진 등에 관한 법률). Of the 433 people who died or went missing in fishing vessel accidents over the past 5 years (2021–2025), 48.7% (211 people) were confirmed not to have been wearing a life jacket, and analysis found that 87.1% of all casualties happened when a life jacket was not worn.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
When do life jackets become mandatory?
From 1 July 2026, everyone on an exposed deck of a fishing vessel must wear one at all times, regardless of weather warnings or the number of people on board.
What is the fine for breaking the rule?
The skipper faces an administrative fine of 900,000 won for a first offense, 1,500,000 won for a second, and up to 3,000,000 won for a third or later offense.