Saenuri urges gov't to take stronger actions against illegal Chinese boats

The ruling Saenuri Party on Monday urged the government to take stronger actions against illegal Chinese fishing vessels in South Korean waters after a Coast Guard boat was sunk last week during a law enforcement operation.

"Related authorities must trace the vessel that got away after ramming the Coast Guard boat and punish its crew to the full extent of the law," Rep. Chung Jin-suk, the party whip, said.

Saenuri said this is also the moment to reconsider existing guidelines that prevent officers from using their weapons against illegal boats and violent crew, adding South Korea should also reconsider its stance of trying to solve the issue through diplomatic efforts.

The ruling party added it will consider building a new Coast Guard office to oversee five front-line islands in the West Sea to ensure the safety of local fishing boats and protect the country's exclusive economic zone.

The Coast Guard said one of its 4.5-ton speed boats that was conducting a crackdown on illegal fishing boats was sunk when a 100-ton Chinese boat intentionally rear-ended it. The ramming occurred around 3 p.m. on Friday in waters 76 kilometers southwest of Socheong Island in Incheon, west of Seoul. No one was hurt in the incident with one officer that escaped the sinking rescued afterwards. (Yonhap)