President Lee Orders Stronger Sanctions and Higher Fines for Illegal Chinese Fishing Vessels

President Lee Receives Briefing from Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Korea Coast Guard

President Lee Jaemyung has called for a strong response to the issue of unauthorized fishing activities by Chinese vessels within Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Yonhap News Agency

During a work briefing by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Coast Guard held at the ministry's office in Busan on December 23, President Lee stated, "I previously ordered that the enforcement approach for fishing vessel crackdowns, which used to focus on expulsion and deterrence, should shift to 'seize as many as possible.' What is the current status?"

President Lee also mentioned the behavior of Chinese fishing vessels resisting enforcement, saying, "They are building iron bars and acting in a threatening manner to evade crackdowns and continue illegal activities," and added, "Shouldn't we impose even stronger sanctions in response?"

He continued, "Only by conducting strict crackdowns can we prevent recurrence. If we are selective, they will just think, 'If I'm unlucky, I'll get caught,' and keep doing it," and further remarked, "Aren't they even pooling money to pay fines for those who get caught?"

He then instructed that fines should be raised to a level that would be burdensome. President Lee said, "We need to instill the perception that if they come to Korean waters and engage in illegal fishing, they will be caught and lose a significant amount of money," and added, "The fines should be raised so high that even if ten vessels pool their money, it would still be burdensome to pay."

President Lee cited the example of Indonesia, saying, "After they sank a few vessels, the illegal fishing stopped," and emphasized, "While we cannot go that far, we must make it clear that we are responding firmly." He added, "If we respond strongly at the outset, it will reduce difficulties later on."

Jang Insik, Acting Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard, replied, "We will make sure to punish illegal fishing. We are conducting strong crackdowns," and added, "We will cooperate with relevant agencies to increase the amount of security deposits." Vice Minister Kim Seongbeom of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries also stated, "We will push for legal revisions."