[Editorial] Outrages at sea

China has become a world superpower, but some of its people behave like Somalian pirates. The frequent, rather routine violations of Korean-controlled waters by Chinese fishing boats make us doubt that Chinese authorities have any concerns about the outrages at sea perpetrated by their people.

The captain of a Chinese fishing boat was arrested for attacking Korean Coast Guard officers, killing one and seriously injuring another, as they seized his ship operating deep inside the Korean exclusive economic zone. Sergeant Lee Cheong-ho, 41, was the second Coast Guard member to be killed while on patrol for Chinese intruders in three years. More than 20 maritime police personnel were wounded during this period.

Korea’s EEZ in the West Sea has seen battles between numerous Chinese fishing boats and Korean Coast Guards trying to ward off their illegal operations. Some 8 million Chinese fishers using 200,000 ships have nearly drained the coastal waters of fisheries resources and about 10,000 fishing boats come into Korean waters in the West Sea, most of them without permission.

The Coast Guards captured 470 Chinese fishing boats so far this year and raised the maximum fine for illegal operations from 70 million won to 100 million won. The Chinese fishers’ resistance has become increasingly violent, using all kinds of home-made weapons ― although not firearms ― with some fixing wire mesh around their vessels to keep Korean police off.

Chinese authorities have made no apology for the latest fatal incident. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that measures were taken to educate fishermen and prevent maritime law violations and wished that “fisheries cooperation” would be further developed in a healthy manner between the two countries.

It is ironic that the Beijing official mentioned fisheries cooperation when fatalities occur at sea in such an outrageous manner. It is bilateral cooperation that Koreans consume huge amounts of fish imported from China every day; violating the waters of the neighboring country and savagely attacking its guards is not.

A government needs to make responsible efforts to ensure that its people abide by the rules and norms of the international community as they do business overseas or engage in fishing away from its coasts. China’s global stature has grown rapidly these past years but we regret that the general behavior of its people still leaves much to be desired if they want their country to be treated as a world leader.

On our part, determined steps should be taken to see no repetition of such a tragic incident. The Coast Guard needs to be reinforced with more personnel, patrol craft and especially with individual equipment to suppress the pirate Chinese fishermen more effectively. Stern punishment should be meted out for the illegally operating Chinese fishers and their employers. President Lee may reconsider his official visit to Beijing scheduled for next month if the Chinese government fails to take appropriate actions regarding the incident.