Yoon Inspects Crackdown Site on Illegal Fishing by Chinese Vessels... "Response from the Perspective of Fisheries Resource Security"

Coast Guard Visit to the West Sea 5 Islands Special Security Unit

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 9th, "We must address the issue of illegal fishing by Chinese vessels from the perspective of securing our fishery resources." During the spring crab fishing season (April 1 to June 30), illegal fishing by Chinese vessels increases, causing significant damage to our fishermen, so he emphasized the need for strict enforcement with a security-minded approach.

On the same day, President Yoon visited the West Sea 5 Islands Special Security Unit of the Korea Coast Guard in Jung-gu, Incheon, to inspect the crackdown on illegal fishing by Chinese vessels during the crab season and instructed a firm response.

President Yoon said, "North Korea, which has a military alliance with China, also strictly cracks down on illegal fishing by Chinese vessels, but we have not done so due to concerns about relations with China. I ask you to focus solely on protecting the safety and interests of our people and securing fishery security."

Earlier, at a public discussion on livelihood held on the 14th of last month, a fisherman from Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, appealed that "Chinese vessels are invading our coastal waters and sweeping away fish." In response, President Yoon ordered strong enforcement led by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Coast Guard. As a result, the government achieved outcomes such as the seizure of five illegal Chinese fishing vessels, the expulsion of 36 vessels, and the removal of 20 set nets during a special crackdown from the 25th to the 31st of last month.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting at the opening ceremony of Pier 7, Busan New Port, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam on the 5th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon boarded the Coast Guard vessel 3005, which is directly involved in enforcement, and received a briefing from Park Saeng-deok, commander of the West Sea 5 Islands Special Security Unit, on the status of crackdowns on illegal Chinese fishing vessels in the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Northern Limit Line (NLL). He also checked the fishing situation of our fishermen and the status of crackdowns on Chinese vessels through a video call with Lee Kang-chul, captain of Coast Guard vessel 518, which is conducting enforcement near Yeonpyeong Island.

Additionally, President Yoon received reports on future government-wide plans to crack down on illegal fishing from Kang Do-hyung, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, and Lee Gu-seong, commander of the 2nd Fleet's 2nd Maritime Battle Group of the Navy. He also listened to the current status and difficulties of crab fishing from Park Cheol-su, chairman of the Gyeongin Western Fisheries Cooperative.

Today's meeting was attended by Park Cheol-su, chairman of the Gyeongin Western Fisheries Cooperative, representing crab fishermen; Kang Do-hyung, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries; Kim Jong-wook, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard; and from the Presidential Office, Sung Tae-yoon, Chief of Policy Office, and Cho Sang-myeong, Director of the National Situation Room.