It is reported by Yonhap agency.
A fishing boat capsized in southwestern South Korean waters 16.6 kilometers off the uninhabited island of Daebichi.
The Navy has committed ships, aircraft and special forces to the search and rescue operation.
Three crew members were rescued.
The fate of nine sailors remains unknown.
The search continues.
Earlier, two cargo ships collided near the Japanese prefecture of Ehime, one of them sank.
It was also reported that a Hong Kong cargo ship sank off the Japanese island of Danjo.