President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea speaks after listening to a report from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries held at its momentary workplaces in Busan on Dec. 23, 2025. (pool picture)
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung issued a name on Wednesday for an intensive crackdown on unlawful fishing by Chinese language boats.
Lee additionally cited examples of international navies sinking such vessels.
Throughout a briefing on the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries advanced in Busan that afternoon, Lee requested Jang In-sik, the deputy commissioner normal of the Korea Coast Guard, concerning the scenario with unlawful fishing by Chinese language boats in South Korean waters.
“I’ve heard the Indonesian navy sank just a few [illegal] fishing boats, and so they haven’t been coming [to Indonesian waters] since,” the president additionally remarked.
“We could not be capable to do this, however we have to present a stern response,” he continued.
Whereas he confessed considering that it was “excessive to shell” the boats, the president went on to ask if there aren’t policing vessels lately that may “ram them.”
He went on to explain the habits of the unlawful fishing boats as “fairly despicable.”
“They commit unlawful acts after which make iron window bars and act threateningly to keep away from policing. In instances like that, we have to take extra highly effective motion,” he stated.
Lee additional known as for a rise in associated monetary penalties.
“We have to ship the clear message that should you come into Korea’s waters and fish illegally, you’ll have some huge cash taken from you and also you’ll get detained,” he stated.
Citing conditions the place unlawful fishing boats band collectively in groups to separate the prices of penalties, he added, “We have to increase [the penalties] sufficient to the place they’re powerful to pay even when everybody chips in.”
This isn’t the primary time Lee has known as for intensive response measures to unlawful Chinese language fishing boats.
As a candidate within the 2022 presidential election, he held a roundtable whereas visiting the 5 West Sea Islands Guard Unit in Incheon on Dec. 30, 2021. In the course of the occasion, he confused the necessity for “diplomatic efforts to make sure no pointless conflicts happen with China,” however added that “we have to reply on a principled foundation to unlawful fishing by Chinese language boats, as now we have to uphold our territorial rights and maritime sovereignty and shield our fishers’ marine sources.”
He additionally stated on the time that he had “heard that unlawful fishing fell by practically 90% after Indonesia took measures to sink [boats] along with capturing them.”
Commenting on Lee’s remarks that day, a senior Blue Home official stated, “The Chinese language authorities can also be cracking down on unlawful fishing. President Lee’s remarks right now are one thing that he can say as a head of state.”
By Goh Gyoung-ju, employees reporter
Please direct questions or feedback to [english@hani.co.kr]
