The Democratic Party criticizes China's installation of structures in the West Sea as "maritime encroachment to Sinicize the West Sea"

Kwon Young-se: "China's Maritime Encroachment... Urges National Assembly Response"
Na Kyung-won: "Promoting Bipartisan Resolution to Protect West Sea Sovereignty"

On the 25th, the People Power Party demanded strong diplomatic measures from the government regarding China's installation of steel structures in the West Sea, calling it "not just a simple diplomatic issue but a direct challenge to maritime security."

Kwon Young-se, the emergency response committee chairman of the People Power Party, criticized at the 'Emergency National Assembly Forum on China's West Sea Project' held at the National Assembly, saying, "China is effectively engaging in 'maritime encroachment' under the pretext of fishing activities."

Recently, China installed large steel structures in the Korea-China Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ) near Ieodo without prior consultation. This led to a two-hour standoff last month between Korean authorities conducting an investigation and Chinese coast guards blocking them.

Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, is delivering the opening remarks at the "Emergency Response National Assembly Forum on China's West Sea Project" held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 25th. 2025.3.25 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Chairman Kwon pointed out, "This mirrors the strategy used in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, where artificial islands were constructed and used as bases to claim sovereignty," adding, "What is more concerning is that these structures are not merely for civilian use but are semi-permanent platforms capable of monitoring oil drilling activities."

There are also views that this is not simply a fishing support facility but part of the West Sea Project. It is explained as a strategy to use the West Sea as an outpost for maritime strategy to Sinicize the area.

The People Power Party emphasized the need for bipartisan response. Na Kyung-won, who hosted the forum, said, "It is difficult for the government to take action due to various diplomatic relations," and stressed the need for a response at the National Assembly level. In particular, Na urged lawmakers to join the 'Resolution to Protect West Sea Sovereignty,' which she has sponsored, saying, "This is precisely the time when the ruling and opposition parties should jointly push for a resolution in the National Assembly."

They also called for active response from the Democratic Party. Seong Il-jong, chairman of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, and others held a press conference that day, stating, "The infringement on our rights began during the Democratic Party administration, but Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, is ignoring it," and emphasized, "There is no anti-Japan or anti-China stance in protecting sovereignty, and there is no ruling or opposition party in this matter."