Steps needed to end illegal China fishing

Another incident has taken place due to our government’s insufficient measures and China’s indifference and failure to cooperate.

Four Korean coastguard officers sustained injuries early Monday when they were attacked by Chinese fishermen while boarding a vessel suspected of illegally fishing in Korean waters. The attack took place around 2:30 a.m. in waters about 72 kilometers northwest of Heuksan Island off Shinan County, South Jeolla Province. One of the four officers fell into the sea after being hit with a blunt instrument but was rescued by a Korean Coast Guard (KCG) boat. The remaining three suffered minor to severe injuries to their heads, arms and legs in the attack by the Chinese fishermen who wielded knives and scythes.

The injured were taken to a hospital in Mokpo by helicopter for treatment. The KCG seized the Chinese ship and nine sailors. This is the latest in a string of events in which law-enforcement officials have been killed or injured by violent Chinese fishermen.

It’s regrettable that another mishap occurred in connection with China’s illegal fishing. We vividly remember that coastguard officer Lee Cheong-ho was stabbed to death by a Chinese skipper in December last year during a raid on a boat violating Korean waters. The skipper was sentenced to 30 years in jail on murder charges later.

In November 2011, five KCG officers were injured while rounding up Chinese fishing boats illegally fishing in the West Sea.

These boats are often caught poaching in Korean waters, resulting in violent clashes during raids by the KCG. Korea and China have discussed ways of preventing these tragic incidents but fundamental solutions have yet to be found.

In the wake of the December tragedy, the Korean government decided to double fines against illegal fishing. In response, China promised to take stronger action, delivering a letter to Seoul that contained details of its stricter supervision and stronger punishment for boats fishing illegally. In mid-April, South Korea and China agreed to strengthen punishment on illegal fishing and maritime violence.

To our regret, however, all these commitments and promises have been futile in preventing the latest incident. Last year alone, the KCG captured and sent back more than 470 Chinese fishing boats, which had illegally crossed into Korean waters in search of anchovies, blue crab and croaker.

More than anything else, active cooperation from the Chinese authorities is indispensible to addressing the illegal fishing. While it’s true China has been cooperative more recently, Korean authorities should step up more diplomatic efforts to halt illegal fishing in Korean waters. At the same time, KCG officers must be armed with enough equipment to protect themselves, and given the authority to shoot violently protesting fishermen.

We feel frustrated whenever we hear tragic stories from the West Sea and hope that the latest incident will serve as an occasion to put an end to tragedies there.