On Jan. 9, 1953 the passenger ship Chang Tyong-Ho capsized off Pusan, Korea killing about 233 people. The small ship, used for regular service between Pusan and Yosu, was caught in a violent storm when she was hit by a huge wave which rolled her over. The ship foundered soon after this as water poured into the holds and passenger spaces, only seven people (four passengers and three crewmen) survived. Captain Ryang Moh Ha and the other six swam to a small island through the ice cold water to save themselves, Ha stated that he had been at the wheel when the ship went over and that he had been thrown into the sea.

Eight hours after the loss rescue ships were sent to the scene, but found nothing. Some people accused the ship line of overloading the 146 ton vessel, not an uncommon occurrence with ships operating in Asia, but the company denied this claim. Whether she was overloaded or not the lifesaving equipment was certainly lacking, it was reported that the ship carried only 1 lifeboat and 60 life preservers, but could carry 259 passengers plus 16 crew.