Chinese fisherman killed by Coast Guard

Rubber bullet fired to calm violent resistance

A Chinese fisherman was killed and another was wounded Tuesday during a crackdown on dozens of Chinese fishing boats operating illegally in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Sea, according to the Korea Coast Guard (KCG).

The guard’s regional headquarters in Mokpo said the incident happened at 3:45 p.m. when an armed Coast Guard unit clashed with weapon-wielding Chinese fishermen.

In an attempt to seize a Chinese trawler, the unit shot rubber bullets at the crew, one of which hit a fisherman in the left upper chest, the KCG said. He was immediately taken to a hospital by helicopter but was pronounced dead at 6 p.m., it added.

The victim was identified as a 44-year-old Chinese man, surnamed Chang ㅡ more information was not immediately available.

“Coastguards shot rubber bullets as they felt threatened by the violent resistance of the Chinese fishermen who were armed with knives and other sharp material,” a KCG spokesman said. “We tried hard to keep him alive but failed. We regret the death.” The authorities said they will investigate to see if the use of rubber bullet during the crackdown was in line with operational instructions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) said it immediately informed the Chinese Embassy in Seoul about the incident and shared related information. “We have provided the Chinese Embassy with detailed information. We expressed deep regret over the death of the fisherman,” a ministry official said.

Chinese trawlers operating illegally in Korea’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) have long been a source of diplomatic friction between Seoul and Beijing.

Last December a Korea Coast Guard officer was stabbed to death by a Chinese fishing boat captain. The captain was sentenced to 30 years in prison and fined 20 million won for the killing.

In December 2010 a Chinese boat overturned and sank in the West Sea after ramming a Korean coastguard vessel. In September 2008 a Korean coastguard drowned after being pushed off a Chinese boat he was trying to inspect.

The two countries held a meeting in June in Beijing to find a peaceful solution to incidences of illegal fishing, agreeing to continue to seek negotiations on setting a clear maritime boundary in apparent efforts to address the issue.

According to MOFAT, a total of 2,016 Chinese fishing vessels were caught committing illegal fishing between January 2008 and August this year. Coastguards boarded 432 Chinese ships for illegal fishing in 2008, 370 in 2010, 537 last year, and 296 up to August this year.

In the wake of growing violence by some fishermen against coastguards, Seoul has taken tougher measures. The steps include providing all KCG units boarding boats fishing illegally with firearms, doubling the maximum bail for seized vessels to 200 million won and the forfeiture of the violators’ catch and fishing gear, or charging a corresponding amount in fines. <The Korea Times/Park Si-soo>

news@theasian.asia