West Sea Coast Guard Agency Blocks 34 Foreign Vessels Attempting Territorial Waters Infringement During 3.1 Movement Holiday Period

Seizure of One Unauthorized Fishing Vessel... Best Efforts to Protect Maritime Sovereignty

The Korea Coast Guard conducted maritime sovereignty protection activities during the March 1st holiday period that were worthy of the patriotic martyrs who devoted themselves to the independence and restoration of sovereignty of the homeland during the Japanese colonial era, by apprehending foreign fishing vessels that invaded South Korea's maritime territory and preventing such incursions in advance.

According to the West Sea Regional Coast Guard Headquarters (Chief Kim In-chang) on the 4th, on the night of the 29th of last month, one day before the March 1st holiday, 34 foreign fishing vessels were detected attempting to enter South Korea’s territorial waters in a group in the sea southwest of Eocheongdo in the West Sea. A large patrol ship that was guarding the nearby waters was urgently deployed to block these vessels from intruding into the territorial waters.

Exterior view of the Seohae Regional Coast Guard Headquarters building

Then, in the early hours of the 3rd, the West Sea Coast Guard conducted inspections of foreign fishing vessels suspected of illegal activities in South Korea’s waters where fishing is permitted. They apprehended one 100-ton fishing vessel engaged in unauthorized fishing and confiscated approximately 13 tons of catch (miscellaneous fish) as evidence.

This foreign fishing vessel was operating about 0.2 nautical miles from the South Korean authorized zone. This demonstrates the Coast Guard’s meticulous and proactive surveillance and response to illegal activities.

The West Sea Coast Guard and the Korea Coast Guard have actively monitored and cracked down on illegal foreign fishing vessels, apprehending 10 vessels, inspecting 64 vessels, and expelling or blocking about 950 vessels so far this year.

Captain Kim Min-chul of the West Sea Coast Guard’s 3010 ship, who participated in this crackdown, stated, “All territories of the Republic of Korea, including the maritime areas, are the results of the sacrifices made by patriotic martyrs such as independence fighters who gave their lives to protect them. Therefore, unauthorized intrusion or depletion of fishery resources can never be tolerated. Our Coast Guard will continue to do its utmost around the clock to protect maritime sovereignty and fishery resources.”