South Korean Coast Guard Seizes Chinese Fishing Vessels

(MENAFN) South Korean maritime enforcement officials reported on Saturday that they had confiscated two Chinese fishing vessels near Baengnyeong Island after suspecting them of unlawfully operating in South Korean territorial waters. During the operation, one Chinese fisherman reportedly died after experiencing cardiac arrest, according to a report from a local media outlet.

The vessels are said to have crossed the Northern Limit Line, which serves as the unofficial maritime boundary separating North and South Korea, and entered roughly 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) into South Korean waters on Friday evening, as reported by a news agency, citing the Korea Coast Guard (KCG). Authorities stated that the interception took place about 14.8 kilometers (9.1 miles) northwest of Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea.

Officials confirmed that during the enforcement action, a Chinese crew member in his 40s suffered a cardiac arrest. Coast Guard personnel administered CPR while transporting him to a nearby medical facility, but he was later declared dead.

According to information provided by fellow crew members, the man had reportedly consumed a significant amount of alcohol prior to collapsing, as relayed by the news agency.

South Korean authorities have informed Chinese consular representatives about the incident and stated that investigations will continue regarding the remaining crew members and the circumstances surrounding the anti-illegal fishing operation.

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