The Navy said the sailor’s body was found at 5:58 a.m. in waters about 52 kilometers east of Geojin-eup in Goseong County, Gangwon Province.
The sailor, a private first class, had been serving aboard a Navy frigate on patrol about 50 kilometers east of Geojin-eup when he was reported missing Sunday morning after failing to appear for his 8 a.m. watch duty.
He was last seen by a duty officer who was conducting an internal patrol of the ship between midnight and 2 a.m. Sunday, according to officials.
A patrol boat taking part in the operation found the missing sailor at 5:58 a.m. Monday. His body was recovered at 6:43 a.m. using a rigid inflatable boat from a frigate, the Navy said.
The sailor was reportedly not wearing a life jacket when he was found.
“The exact circumstances of the accident and the cause of death will be investigated jointly by civilian police and military investigators,” the Navy said.
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