By Jung Min-ho
Fishermen and their families who live on islands near the inter-Korean border in the West Sea will stage a protest Wednesday over what they say is government negligence to prevent illegal fishing by Chinese trawlers in Korean waters.
After gathering on Daecheong Island in the West Sea early in the morning, they will sail up the Han River to near Yeouido, where the National Assembly is situated.
“Our financial losses have been enormous over many years. We were very disappointed when the government did not mention anything about compensation during a recent media conference,” they said in a statement.
This came after an announcement by Prime Minister Chung Hong-won on Thursday that the government will conduct a crackdown on illegal fishing by Chinese boats in Korean waters after a number of violent incidents. Hundreds of Chinese fishermen are arrested each year for fishing in Korean waters in the Yellow Sea, often leading to violent clashes with Korean Coast Guard officials.
Last month, a Chinese captain was shot dead while trying to escape from being boarded after illegally entering Korea’s waters in the latest of a series of similar incidents.
According to the Incheon Metropolitan Government, financial damage caused to the Korean fishing community by the illegal activities of Chinese fishermen amounts to more than 2.7 billion won ($2.4 million).
The fishermen, who live on the five northwestern border islands, believe that the government should pay compensation for this because it failed to fulfill part of its obligations.
“This is the last resort to protect our right to our livelihood. We could not think of any other way,” the fishermen said.