Gyeongnam-Jeonnam Fisheries Boundary Dispute... Constitutional Court Holds Public Hearing on Jurisdictional Conflict

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The two local governments will publicly express their pros and cons on how to establish the fishing boundary line, which has been a continuous source of dispute between fishermen from Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeollanam-do.

The Constitutional Court announced on the 9th that it will hold a public hearing on the jurisdictional dispute case regarding the maritime boundary line between Gyeongnam and Jeonnam at the grand bench. The main focus of the hearing is to examine whether the maritime boundary line on the national basic map can serve as the fishing boundary line.

The origin of this case lies in the conflict between Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeollanam-do over fishing zones since the implementation of the local autonomy system in 1995. Before the local autonomy system was implemented, the boundary of fishing zones between Gyeongnam and Jeonnam was unclear, so Gyeongnam fishing vessels sometimes operated near Heuksando, and Jeonnam fishing vessels near Ulleungdo.

However, after the Coast Guard began cracking down on fishing vessels that violated fishing zones and Gyeongnam fishermen were convicted of violating the Fisheries Act, Gyeongsangnam-do and Namhae-gun filed a jurisdictional dispute petition with the Constitutional Court in December 2015 against Jeollanam-do and Yeosu City.

Gyeongsangnam-do holds the position that the maritime boundary line cannot be the standard for the fishing boundary line. They argue that since the line is intended to indicate administrative jurisdiction, actual surveying was not conducted.

On the other hand, Jeollanam-do claims that the maritime boundary line on the national basic map should be an important consideration when determining the fishing boundary line, as it was established based on past practices and residents' perceptions.

The Constitutional Court plans to deliberate on the case after hearing both sides' opinions.