Chinese Embassy Claims "West Sea Structures Are Fishing and Aquaculture Facilities... No Impact on Korean Rights"

The Chinese Embassy in Korea claimed on the 26th that the structures illegally installed in the Korea-China Provisional Measure Zone in the West Sea "comply with Chinese domestic law and international law, do not violate the Korea-China Fisheries Agreement, and do not affect the rights and interests of the Korean side under the agreement."

On March 25, 2025, Seong Il-jong, Chairman of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, along with National Defense Committee members of the People Power Party, held a press conference condemning illegal structures in the West Sea of China at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

In a statement issued under the spokesperson's name on the same day, the embassy stated, "This facility is a deep-sea fishing and aquaculture facility located in Chinese coastal waters, and it represents the reasonable utilization of marine resources in coastal waters by the Chinese side." Regarding concerns raised by Korean media about the structures installed by China, the embassy said, "Many of these concerns do not correspond to the facts."

The spokesperson also reiterated, "The Chinese side takes strict environmental protection and safety measures for deep-sea fishing and aquaculture facilities, and they will not affect the marine environment or navigation safety." He added, "Both China and Korea maintain communication through diplomatic channels," and expressed hope that "both sides will continue to strengthen communication and enhance mutual understanding to avoid politicizing this issue unnecessarily and to jointly make the West Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation."

China recently installed steel frame structures in the Korea-China Provisional Measure Zone near Ieodo in the West Sea, sparking controversy domestically. The Korean government launched an investigation, but China blocked it, leading to a standoff between the maritime police forces of both sides. In the political sphere, criticism arose across party lines, labeling it as 'maritime land grabbing.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.