One of nine missing fishermen was found dead inside a capsized ship's cabin after rescuers searched a 24-tonne fishing boat that overturned off the southwestern coast of South Korea on Saturday, Yonhap reported on Monday.

The vessel sank with nine of the 12 people on board, including three foreign nationals, missing. The other three were rescued by another boat at the scene.

Authorities are trying to confirm the identity of the deceased person.