Busan: President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday instructed maritime police to take stern measures against illegal fishing by Chinese vessels in South Korean waters. During a policy briefing by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Lee questioned whether the Korea Coast Guard was transitioning from merely repelling or blocking Chinese fishing boats to actively detaining them when found operating illegally in South Korea's exclusive economic zone in the Yellow Sea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee criticized the violent resistance exhibited by some Chinese vessels against Korean law enforcement, which included acts of intimidation and the installation of iron window bars. He described these behaviors as "too mean" and advocated for stronger sanctions against such violent acts. Lee emphasized the need for increased fines to elevate the financial burden and risk associated with illegal fishing in Korean waters.
Lee stressed that tougher enforcement would serve as a stronger deterrent, pointing out that selective crackdowns have been less effective due to Chinese fishermen pooling money to pay fines imposed by Korean authorities. "Authorities need to make it clear that they firmly respond (to illegal fishing)," he remarked. "Tougher measures may be difficult, but an early response would help prevent trouble later."
Chang In-sik, acting commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, affirmed that his agency would persist in its strong crackdown on illegal fishing by Chinese boats and would seek to raise fine levels in collaboration with relevant agencies. Vice Oceans Minister Kim Sung-bum added that the ministry would also pursue revisions to related laws to enable stronger sanctions against illegal fishing.