※ This video was produced in 2016 and may differ from the current situation.

■ Outlaws of the Sea: Pirates Run Rampant

Recently, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced through data on global piracy trends that 246 pirate attacks occurred at sea last year. The regions where these incidents occurred were largely Southeast Asia and West Africa. Southeast Asia accounted for the vast majority with 200 cases, followed by West Africa (including Nigeria) with 31 cases, while Somalia had no incidents. The data also included 15 cases of ship hijacking. The types of attacks included not only the hijacking of vessels to take crew members hostage and demand ransom, but also maritime robbery and killings targeting ships. The reality is that pirates continue to threaten maritime safety.

*This video was produced in 2016 and may differ from the current situation.* ■ Surge in Southeast Asia, Quiet in Somalia

Piracy in Somalia has decreased significantly. This is because South Korea’s Cheonghae Unit has been dispatched to undertake anti-piracy and escort missions, and countries around the world are also deploying naval forces to respond in the form of coalitions or engaging in anti-piracy efforts on a national level.

However, unlike Somalia, piracy is rampant in Southeast Asia. Most incidents occur in the Strait of Malacca, located between Malaysia and Indonesia. Recently, as the Southeast Asian economy has struggled to make a living, fishermen and sailors have turned to piracy, and there have even been testimonies that members of the Islamic State (IS) are participating in piracy. The Strait of Malacca is a major passage for maritime logistics, often referred to as the "Silk Road of the Sea." However, analysis suggests that it becomes a prime target for pirates because its shallow depth forces many vessels to slow down as they pass through.

■ What are the methods of increasingly bold and organized pirates?

Pirates are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, ranging from kidnapping ships and demanding ransoms for hostages to erasing the names of hijacked vessels to disguise them as different ships and selling them. Furthermore, targets are not limited to any specific type of vessel, including oil tankers, cruise ships, bulk carriers, and container ships.

*Encountering a Suspected Pirate Vessel*
The reporting team spent fifteen days aboard an LNG carrier and a container ship navigating the Malacca Strait and the Indian Ocean, areas known for frequent pirate raids.

Ships have implemented various measures to avoid pirate attacks, and allied naval forces, including the United States, maintain a coordinated system to combat piracy. In particular, armed security personnel, often mercenaries, are on board to remain constantly prepared for engagements with pirates. Occasionally, combat does occur.

In fact, during the voyage, the reporting team witnessed a situation where a vessel suspected of being pirates approached, prompting armed security personnel and crew members to immediately go on high alert.

※ This video is from [Current Affairs Planning Window - Pirate Alert, Going to Malacca], aired on March 29, 2016.

#Malacca #Pirates #StateOfEmergency

This is the official KBS documentary channel. We will deliver documentaries that breathe with the world.

Copyright ⓒ KBS. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use (including AI training) are prohibited.

📝 kbsdoculife@gmail.com

📞 02-781-1000

✔KBS Documentary | KBS Official YouTube Channel

Copyright ⓒ KBS. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use (including AI training) are prohibited.

📝 kbsdoculife@gmail.com

📞 +82-2-781-1000

🏢 Seoul, Republic of Korea (South Korea)

∙The current situation and content may differ slightly depending on the time of broadcast.

∙Slanderous or malicious comments may be deleted by the administrator to protect the participants.