S. Korean fishermen stage at-sea protest against illegal Chinese fishing
By KH디지털2Published : Nov. 26, 2014 - 17:08
More than 160 South Korean fishermen staged a rally in the West Sea on Wednesday to protest the government's latest measures against illegal Chinese fishing, demanding state compensation for their economic loss.
Last Thursday, the government unveiled a package of measures meant to further crack down on illegal Chinese fishing, including the establishment of a special enforcement team comprised of naval vessels and helicopters.
"The government, however, failed to come up with steps to directly compensate those who have suffered economic losses from illegal fishing by Chinese boats," said a group representing the South Korean fishermen. "We had no choice but to stage a protest rally to protect our livelihoods."
The rally was staged in waters some 210 kilometers northwest of this western port city, with the fishermen hailing from five major islands in the West Sea arriving there in 80 boats.
The protesters wore headbands with "Guarantee Right to Livelihood" signs, with placards calling for government measures hung on the boats.
More than 90 Coast Guard officers were deployed to prepare for contingencies, but no clashes with the demonstrators took place.
Persuaded by Coast Guard officers, the fishermen canceled a plan to move into central Seoul via the Han River, which runs through the South Korean capital into the West Sea.
But they threatened to again attempt to come to Seoul aboard their boats unless the government accepts their demands by early December.
Chinese boats' illegal fishing in South Korea waters has been rampant in recent years, posing a headache to the Seoul government and inflicting economic losses on South Korean fishermen.
Nearly a hundred Chinese fishermen are arrested each year for illegally entering South Korean waters in the West Sea.
This year, 53 Chinese fishermen were arrested for illegal fishing, one of whom was accidentally shot dead by the South Korean Coast Guard in October.
In June alone, fishing gear worth more than 60 million won (US$54,000) was stolen in waters near Baengyneong Island, and a local nonprofit estimated that 760 million won worth of fishing gear was damaged or lost near Daecheong Island in the same month. (Yonhap)