South Korea Detains Chinese Man Found at Sea; Reportedly Prominent Dissident Dong Guangping

The South Korean Coast Guard announced today that it is questioning a Chinese national found on a rubber boat off the west coast. Media reports indicate he may be Dong Guangping, a prominent dissident who has repeatedly attempted to flee China. The Taean Coast Guard stated that the man was in a 3.3-meter boat equipped with a 10-horsepower engine. A fishing vessel discovered him about 38 nautical miles off the west coast on the night of the 25th and notified authorities. He has been arrested and is currently being questioned for alleged immigration law violations. The location where he was found is within South Korean territorial waters. A coast guard official declined to confirm the suspect's name but described him as a Chinese man in his 60s. Dong has previously fled to Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan, but was ultimately returned to mainland China each time.