South Korea and China Reach Consensus to Strengthen Crackdown on Illegal Fishing by Chinese Vessels

(CNA, Reporter Liao Wen-chi, Shanghai, July 1) Regarding the issue of illegal fishing by Chinese vessels crossing maritime boundaries, South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced today that it has reached a consensus with the China Coast Guard. Both sides will strengthen enforcement cooperation in waters governed by the ROK-China Fisheries Agreement to jointly combat illegal fishing activities.

According to Yonhap News, the ROK and China have agreed to further enhance their collaboration mechanisms to jointly address challenges posed by the increasingly sophisticated and intelligent methods used by Chinese vessels for illegal fishing.

Based on the consensus reached, China will strengthen enforcement inspections of fishing vessels docked in Chinese ports using evidence provided by South Korea and will promptly report the results of these actions to South Korea.

South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that both sides also discussed revising relevant regulations, increasing penalties for serious violations by fishing vessels, and establishing regulatory provisions for illegal activities such as the clandestine modification of fish holds. Details of this cooperation will be further refined at the 26th annual meeting of the ROK-China Joint Fisheries Committee, scheduled for the second half of this year.

Both sides also agreed to conduct a joint patrol for approximately 10 days in the "ROK-China Provisional Measures Waters" (PMZ) in October of this year, with the participation of South Korean fisheries patrol vessels and the China Coast Guard. During the joint patrol, fisheries law enforcement officers from both countries will board each other's vessels to exchange enforcement methods.

Citing Kim In-kyung, Director of Fisheries Resources Policy at South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the report stated that the consensus reached reflects the shared willingness of both the ROK and China to maintain order in the waters governed by the agreement. South Korea will continue to strengthen cooperation with China to jointly combat illegal fishing activities and maintain normal operational order.

According to a previous report by Yonhap News, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated on June 24th during his visit to the Peace Observatory on Yeonpyeong Island in Ongjin County, Incheon City, that illegal Chinese fishing vessels crossing the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the western waters cannot be ignored. Lee Jae-myung was informed by the military that day that North Korean fishing activities are active around Yeonpyeong Island, and Chinese vessels are also illegally operating in the waters south of the NLL.

The issue of Chinese fishing vessels intruding into South Korean waters for illegal fishing has been ongoing. While it decreased for a period after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, it has recently seen an increase. According to statistics from the South Korean Coast Guard, 115 Chinese fishing vessels were seized in 2019, a sharp decrease to 18 in 2020, followed by an increase to 66 in 2021, 42 in 2022, 54 in 2023, 46 in 2024, and rising to 57 in 2025. (Editor: Chou Hui-ying) 1150701

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