Two Chinese fishing boats have been intercepted by the South Korean coast guard and the men aboard arrested for illegal fishing near the island of Gageodo, the state-run China News Service reported on Oct. 7.
The two boats boats, Luyingyu 51189 and Luyingyu 51190 were detected by South Korean coast guard vessels stationed at Mokpo in the Monday morning. The boats were hailed by the coast guard demanding to board and search them but chose to flee instead. The coast guard gave chase for 26 kilometers, eventually resulting in clashes which left two of the fishermen and four coast guard officers injured.
A helicopter was dispatched to carry the wounded men to hospital as soon as the two boats, carrying 21 Chinese fishermen, were detained. Officials from the Chinese consulate at Gwangju were sent to visit the two injured fishermen in hospital.
By an agreement between Beijing and Seoul, Chinese and South Korean fishermen are allowed to fish in overlapping exclusive economic zones but are prohibited from catching more than a set quota. From the beginning of this year, South Korean coast guards have seized 77 Chinese fishing boats for illegal fishing.
2013 WantChinaTimes.com