On South Korea’s picturesque western coastline, what should be a tranquil pastime—clam digging on tidal flats—has turned increasingly perilous in 2026. According to the Korea Coast Guard, by April 22, a total of 26 accidents related to ‘haerujil’ (clam digging and mudflat foraging) had been reported nationwide, leading to 4 fatalities and 1 missing person. This marks a dramatic increase from the same period last year, when only 11 such incidents and a single fatality were recorded, as highlighted by Chosun Ilbo and Incheon Today.
The surge in accidents has raised alarms among safety officials and local communities alike. Most tragedies stem from a common, but deadly, miscalculation: failing to recognize the timing of the incoming tide. Many foragers, engrossed in their search for shellfish and other marine life, become trapped by the rapidly rising waters. The acting commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard stressed this critical danger on April 29, warning, “The speed of incoming tides is much faster than an adult’s walking pace, making it easy to become trapped quickly. Reckless clam digging should be avoided.”
Recent incidents have clustered around well-known mudflat regions: Taean Mong Sanpo Port in Chungnam, Soigakdo in Yeonggwang, Jeonnam, Songhak Port in Boryeong, and Wunyeo Beach in Taean. Other hotspots include the West Sea’s Incheon Yeongheung and Ongjin, as well as Buan in Jeonbuk. These locations, beloved for their abundant marine life and scenic beauty, have become sites of tragedy for families and communities.
What’s behind this sharp rise in accidents? The Korea Coast Guard points to a troubling sense of complacency among some foragers. Many neglect basic safety precautions, such as wearing life jackets or checking tide schedules. According to the Coast Guard’s marine safety department, “Most accidents are due to safety negligence like not wearing life jackets.” The problem is exacerbated at night, when disorientation and limited visibility make it all too easy to wander into deep tidal channels—areas that flood first and can quickly become deadly traps.
“At night, it’s easy to lose your sense of direction and your field of vision is limited. If you fall into a tidal channel, it can lead to loss of life,” a Coast Guard official told Incheon Today. These dangers are not theoretical. The Coast Guard’s records show that the number of accidents and fatalities has more than doubled compared to last year, painting a sobering picture of growing risk along Korea’s mudflats.
In response, authorities are ramping up both preventive measures and enforcement. The Korea Coast Guard has rolled out a comprehensive campaign to promote five key safety rules for mudflat activities:
1. Always check the tide schedule, and plan to leave the mudflat at least one hour before high tide.
2. Wear appropriate safety gear, including life jackets and chest waders; bring lanterns and whistles for nighttime excursions.
3. Never go alone—always work in groups of two or more.
4. Familiarize yourself with the terrain. Tidal channels are especially hazardous, as they flood first and their depth can be deceiving.
5. Respect all restricted zones and heed warning signs.
To further deter risky behavior, the government is moving to increase fines for unauthorized entry into restricted tidal flat areas. Under a revised Coastal Accident Prevention Act, the current penalty of 1 million won will be tripled to 3 million won. This stiffer penalty, soon to be enforced, aims to reinforce the seriousness of the regulations and encourage compliance. “We are strengthening on-site enforcement and safety campaigns, especially the use of life jackets,” the Coast Guard announced, according to Chosun Ilbo.
The Coast Guard’s message is clear: the ocean is as unpredictable as it is beautiful. Even seasoned foragers can underestimate the speed at which tides come in. The acting commissioner’s warning rings especially true for those who may be tempted to push their luck: “The speed of the incoming tide is faster than an adult’s walking pace. You can be cut off in an instant.” This simple fact, if ignored, can have tragic consequences.
But the Coast Guard is not just relying on penalties and warnings. There’s a renewed focus on public education and community engagement. Local authorities are working with fishing cooperatives, tourism offices, and schools to distribute information about tide times and safe foraging practices. Life jacket loan stations are being set up at popular mudflat entry points, and volunteers are helping to monitor at-risk areas during peak clam digging seasons.
Still, some question whether these efforts will be enough. For many, clam digging is more than a hobby—it’s a cherished tradition, a way to connect with family, and, for some, a supplementary source of income. The challenge, then, is to balance these cultural and economic needs with the imperative of safety. The Coast Guard has called for what it describes as “mature citizen awareness,” urging people to “prioritize safety over reckless clam digging.”
“A mature sense of citizenship is needed, where safety is considered above all else,” a marine safety department official told Incheon Today. The official added that the mudflat is not a place to take unnecessary risks, especially given how quickly conditions can change. “The tidal flat is a place where the speed of the incoming tide is faster than an adult’s walking pace, and you can be isolated in an instant.”
It’s a message echoed by local leaders. Community groups have begun organizing safety workshops and distributing waterproof maps of local mudflats, highlighting the most dangerous areas. Some are advocating for even stricter controls, including temporary closures during periods of high risk, though others worry that such measures could hurt tourism and local livelihoods.
For now, the statistics speak for themselves. With accident numbers rising and families grieving lost loved ones, the need for vigilance has never been greater. The Korea Coast Guard’s five safety rules are simple, but following them could mean the difference between a day of fun and a tragic accident. As the acting commissioner put it, “We must avoid reckless clam digging and always put safety first.”
As South Korea heads into the warmer months, when mudflat foraging is most popular, the hope is that these hard lessons will not be forgotten. The coastline’s beauty and bounty will always draw people in—but, as this year’s sobering numbers show, nature’s power deserves respect above all.