The Chinese captain of a feeder ship, Padian 3, was reported to have been fatally stabbed by a Vietnamese crew member on 8 December.
The crew member, 24, was tipsy after drinking whisky and allegedly stabbed the 44-year-old captain several times, after being reprimanded.
The 1,032TEU Padian 3 understood to be operated by South Korean feeder operator Heung-A Line on a South Korea-Thailand-Vietnam service, had departed Vietnamese port Hai Phong on 3 December and was on its way to Pyeongtaek, South Korea, when the incident happened.
After being notified of the incident, South Korean security personnel boarded Padian 3 when it arrived in Pyeongtaek on 9 December and arrested the suspected seafarer. The ship remains in Pyeongtaek while investigations are conducted.
Chinese media reports stated that the seafarer admitted to the killing in his police statement, blaming the captain for making his life unbearable on the ship.
There were 19 crew members on the ship, comprising 17 Vietnamese nationals and two Chinese nationals, including the dead captain.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
