ID :
67012
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 12:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/67012
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea to invite Chinese officials to help monitor illegal fishing in NLL
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will invite Chinese inspectors to monitor
illegal fishing by Chinese boats along the inter-Korean maritime border in the
Yellow Sea, the government said Monday.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the three Chinese
officials will board a 500-ton cutter operated by the West Sea Fisheries
Supervision Office and will cruise waters near Baeknyeong, Yeonpyeong and
Daecheong islands.
The islands, located just south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) that acts as the
de facto sea border between the two Koreas, has become a "popular" fishing ground
for Chinese ships since both South and North Korean ships are restricted from
operating in the area.
Naval vessels from the two Koreas clashed in the area in 1999 and 2002, resulting
in the sinking of ships and significant loss of life. Pyongyang does not
recognize the demarcation line drawn up by the U.N. Command at the end of the
Korean War (1950-53).
Chinese fishing boats have been cited for illegally fishing in the area since
2003. Those detected for illegal fishing by either South or North Korean
authorities have often fled over the NLL to escape and avoid penalties.
"Recent tensions between the two Koreas have caused many Chinese boats to leave,
but there are still quite a few operating in the region," an official said.
He said Chinese inspectors from Beijing's fisheries service will be on board the
South Korean cutter for five days starting on Wednesday so they can see first
hand the problems associated with illegal fishing.
Seoul is expected to urge China to take steps to better regulate their fishing
boats from operating along the NLL, which is within South Korea's exclusive
economic zone. A formal request is to be made through diplomatic channels later
in the year.
The ministry, meanwhile, said South Korean fisheries officials will board a
Chinese maritime patrol vessel for a tour of waters off the Yangtze River. The
region is currently designated as a joint fishing area by the two neighboring
countries.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will invite Chinese inspectors to monitor
illegal fishing by Chinese boats along the inter-Korean maritime border in the
Yellow Sea, the government said Monday.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the three Chinese
officials will board a 500-ton cutter operated by the West Sea Fisheries
Supervision Office and will cruise waters near Baeknyeong, Yeonpyeong and
Daecheong islands.
The islands, located just south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) that acts as the
de facto sea border between the two Koreas, has become a "popular" fishing ground
for Chinese ships since both South and North Korean ships are restricted from
operating in the area.
Naval vessels from the two Koreas clashed in the area in 1999 and 2002, resulting
in the sinking of ships and significant loss of life. Pyongyang does not
recognize the demarcation line drawn up by the U.N. Command at the end of the
Korean War (1950-53).
Chinese fishing boats have been cited for illegally fishing in the area since
2003. Those detected for illegal fishing by either South or North Korean
authorities have often fled over the NLL to escape and avoid penalties.
"Recent tensions between the two Koreas have caused many Chinese boats to leave,
but there are still quite a few operating in the region," an official said.
He said Chinese inspectors from Beijing's fisheries service will be on board the
South Korean cutter for five days starting on Wednesday so they can see first
hand the problems associated with illegal fishing.
Seoul is expected to urge China to take steps to better regulate their fishing
boats from operating along the NLL, which is within South Korea's exclusive
economic zone. A formal request is to be made through diplomatic channels later
in the year.
The ministry, meanwhile, said South Korean fisheries officials will board a
Chinese maritime patrol vessel for a tour of waters off the Yangtze River. The
region is currently designated as a joint fishing area by the two neighboring
countries.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
