S. Korea coordinating response measure to China's steel structure in West Sea
An official from the Korean Veterans Association explains China's recent installation of a steel structure in the Provisional Maritime Zone in the West Sea during a rally in Seoul, March 31. Yonhap
South Korea is considering setting up a necessary facility in the overlapping waters with China in the West Sea as a countermeasure to the latter's recent installation of a steel structure in the area, Seoul's oceans minister said Monday.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is discussing the matter with the financial authorities, Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said in a press briefing, noting the government first has to decide "what kind of facility is necessary at which level."
"Regarding the proportional measure, we are taking this matter very seriously from the perspective of protecting our maritime territory," he said.
In February, the two countries faced a two-hour standoff as Chinese authorities blocked Seoul's attempt to investigate Beijing's construction of a steel structure in the Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ) near Ieo Island, off South Korea's southwest coast.
The PMZ is an area where the Exclusive Economic Zones of South Korea and China overlap. The two sides can only operate fishing vessels there and jointly manage marine resources, as any activities beyond navigation and fishing are prohibited in the area.
Despite the agreement, China has installed several large steel structures in the zone in recent years, saying they are for aqua farming.
Seoul and Beijing plan to hold working-level talks on maritime issues later this month, according to diplomatic sources.