This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission.
South Korean and Chinese authorities faced off at sea for two hours last month after Chinese authorities blocked the South’s attempt to investigate a steel structure set up by Beijing in their overlapping waters in the Yellow Sea, according to South Korea’s foreign ministry.
The standoff occurred on Feb. 26, when South Korea’s Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology deployed its research vessel RV Onnuri to examine the structure in the Provisional Measures Zone, or PMZ – a contested area where the exclusive economic zones of both nations overlap.
South Korean intelligence had earlier detected China’s construction of a mobile steel structure measuring more than 50 meters in both height and diameter in the waterway, also known as the North Sea
As the RV Onnuri approached, four Chinese personnel in two rubber boats intercepted it, preventing South Korean researchers from deploying inspection equipment, officials from the South’s foreign ministry told media.
Although the South Korean vessel said its investigation was legitimate, the Chinese side said the structure was an aquafarm and asked the Korean vessel to leave.
In response, South Korea’s coast guard dispatched patrol ships, resulting in a standoff with Chinese maritime authorities that lasted for two hours.
Some of the Chinese civilians were reportedly carrying knives but no physical clash occurred.
“We have delivered our firm position to China regarding the reported incident,” South Korea’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
“We are actively working with related government agencies to ensure the legitimate maritime rights and interests in the Yellow Sea.”
China has neither declined nor acknowledged the reports.
Such confrontations are rare between China and U.S. ally South Korea, which have built up extensive business relations despite China’s support for South Korea’s main rival, North Korea.
In a response to a question about the reported dispute, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that she was “not familiar with the specifics” but added that the situation in the Yellow Sea was “stable.”
“Regarding the maritime disputes between the two sides, China and the ROK maintain sound communication through the dialogue and cooperation mechanism of maritime affairs, and the maritime law enforcement authorities of the two countries also have smooth communication channels,” said Mao, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
South Korea and China signed a China-ROK Fishery Agreement in August 2000, which came into effect in June 2001. The agreement established a PMZ in the Yellow Sea, allowing fishing vessels from both countries to operate within the zone and the joint management of marine resources.
The agreement prohibits any activity beyond navigation and fishing in the PMZ.
Despite the agreement, China has installed several large steel structures in the zone, including two in April and May of last year, and another this year, raising concerns in South Korea over potential territorial disputes.
China has insisted that the structures are for aquaculture purposes.
