The amount of pollutants released into Korean waters sharply decreased this year.
 
The Korea Coast Guard under the Ministry of Public Safety and Security said on Monday that the number of ocean pollution accidents came to 139 in the first half of the year, a slight increase from 117 from a year earlier.
 
However, the amount of pollutants discharged into the ocean sharply dropped from 144 kiloliters to 70 kiloliters over the period.
 
Accidents from negligent mistakes took up the largest portion of the accidents at 53, followed by vessel mishaps such as sinking or stranding.
 
Fishing vessels were the most common pollution source, as they were responsible for 54 accidents. Cargo ships and oil tankers came in second and third, each.