China seeks to appease S. Korea over illegal fishing

China has taken stronger action against illegal fishing by its fishermen in South Korean waters, details of which were delivered in a letter to the South Korean Embassy in Beijing, a Seoul official said Sunday.

The official letter from the Chinese agricultural ministry was sent to the South Korean Embassy on Jan. 18, several weeks after Beijing drew fire for its lukewarm response to the Dec. 12 killing of a South Korean Coast Guard officer by a Chinese fisherman in the West Sea.

Chinese fishing boats are often caught poaching in South Korean waters in the West Sea, sometimes leading to violent clashes during raids by the South Korean Coast Guard.

“The letter contained details of (China’s) stricter supervision and stronger punishment for fishing boats operating (illegally) in South Korean waters,” said the senior official at South Korea’s foreign ministry.

Under the new measures, the Chinese agricultural ministry said, it has dispatched two teams to oversee fishing in areas near the West Sea, and stepped up regulations and instructions for fishing boats.

Provincial governments have also been ordered to implement effective measures for supervising and regulating the activities of fishing boats.

The letter also said three Chinese fishing boats were fined 100,000 yuan ($15,868) each last December for fishing without permits in South Korean waters.

“It appears China has taken active measures considering the adverse effects the issue of illegal fishing is having on diplomatic relations between the two countries,” said another ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We have already proposed holding consultations between relevant organizations from both sides over the issue, and we expect the Chinese to accept the offer.” 

(Yonhap News)