(Image Source: Yonhap News)

 

BY KERRY LEARY

ANCHOR EMILY SPAIN

A South Korean coast guard was allegedly stabbed to death and another was injured Monday in the Yellow Sea-- escalating ongoing tension over fishing territory between South Korea and China.

“The officers boarded a Chinese fishing boat, they believe the crew was operating illegally. Something happened on board and the fishing boat captain stabbed the officers. “

According to Al Jazeera-- this level of violence is a bit out of the ordinary-- but it’s become all-too-common for the South Korean Coast Guard to seize Chinese fishing ships.

“The coast guard says it has seized 475 Chinese ships for illegal fishing in the Yellow Sea so far this year, up from 370 last year. At least 800 Chinese fishermen have been arrested since 2006.
The coast guard usually releases the ships after a fine is paid, though violence occasionally occurs.”

But why are Chinese fisherman out of bounds in the first place? NPR explains.

“With some 300,000 fishing vessels and 8 million fishermen, the Chinese fishing industry...produc(es) an annual catch in excess 17 million tons. But catches have decreased in waters close to China's shores, forcing the fleet to venture farther.”

And, the New York Times says, as Chinese fishermen try to avoid getting caught in South Korean waters, violence is becoming more common.

“Violent clashes have become common as Chinese fishermen try to escape arrest and thousands of dollars in fines. The Coast Guard has reported Chinese crewmen wielding axes and steel pipes … Chinese ships also chain each other together to resist seizure.”

The Christian Science Monitor reports-- China’s ambassador to Korea promises a full investigation into the stabbing-- but is asking for video of the accident. The Monitor points out-- many analysts doubt the fishermen are acting without the support of the Chinese government.

“The incident ‘reinforces the broader perception that the Chinese are a threat,’ says Victor Cha, director of Asian Studies at Georgetown University...Mr. Cha predicts the incident will strengthen ‘the concern that Koreans have had that relations with China are not all positive’ despite enormous commercial relations between the two countries.”

South Korea says it seized the ship where the stabbing happened-- and all nine sailors onboard.