Korea arrests 23 Chinese fishermen for illegal fishing

AFP reported that the South Korean coast guard said on October 17 that it had detained 23 Chinese fishermen for questioning after a violent clash in the Yellow Sea left one Chinese crew member dead.

Earlier on October 16, the South Korean coast guard seized two Chinese ships and towed them to the port of Mokpo, southwestern South Korea, in an operation to deal with about 30 Chinese fishing boats that the force said were illegally fishing in South Korean waters.

South Korean Coast Guard. (Source: AFP)

Speaking in Mokpo, a spokesman for the South Korean coast guard said "the Chinese consul general questioned each of the fishermen after they were brought to the port this morning."

A Chinese fisherman has died after being hit by a rubber bullet fired by the South Korean coast guard. South Korea's foreign ministry expressed regret over the incident while the Chinese embassy in Seoul has asked the host country to "seriously and thoroughly" investigate the incident.

Illegal fishing by Chinese vessels in South Korean waters occurs frequently, and this year alone, more than 130 Chinese vessels have been seized by Seoul./.

(According to VNA) - DT