Another Communist Chinese Provocation: South Korea Warns It Will Shoot Chinese Boats Fishing Illegally in Its Waters

Although economic relations between South Korea and China are close, confrontation between the two countries is seen to be in danger of escalating, as Chinese boats continue to fish in Korean waters - illegally, according to Seoul.

China's ambassador was summoned by South Korea recently, which took issue with Beijing's actions after a recent clash between Chinese vessels and a Korean coast guard boat, that led to the sinking of the latter. The incident, in which a patrol boat was rammed by one of the Chinese vessels, resulted in no casualties. 

 

A South Korean deputy foreign minister told the Chinese ambassador that the incident was "a challenge to public power." South Korea announced Tuesday that it would use firearms against Chinese boats. "We will actively respond to Chinese fishing boats that obstruct justice by using all possible means if needed such as directly hitting and gaining control of those Chinese fishing boats as well as firing common weapons," South Korea's deputy coastguard chief, Lee Choon-jae, told reporters. 

 

Last month, three Chinese fishermen were killed in a fire on their boat after a South Korean coast guard crew threw flash grenades into their vessel, according to a South Korean official.

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/asia/201610121046242043-south-korea-shooting-chinese-boats/