Foreign Vessels Once Swept Up the Seas Every Season... Now Face Fines of Up to 1.5 Billion Won

Going forward, illegal fishing activities by foreign vessels in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) will be subject to fines of up to 1.5 billion won.

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On April 23, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that the National Assembly had passed an amendment to the Economic Zone Fisheries Sovereignty Act reflecting these changes. The maximum fine has been increased fivefold, from the previous cap of 300 million won. This follows President Lee Jaemyung's directive at the end-of-year work briefing last year, where he called for a strong response against illegal Chinese fishing vessels.

The Ministry explained that after reporting measures to raise fines and other countermeasures at the cabinet meeting in February, it promptly completed the legislative process, thereby providing institutional support for the government’s strong stance against illegal fishing by foreign vessels.

Illegal Foreign Fishing Vessels. The Asia Business Daily DB

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On-site enforcement will also be strengthened. The Fisheries Management Service and the Korea Coast Guard will jointly form mobile task forces to step up crackdowns and detain illegal vessels. For serious violations such as unlicensed operations or infringement of territorial waters, offending vessels are handed over at sea to the Chinese Coast Guard for double punishment.

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jongwoo stated, "Illegal fishing not only devastates marine resources but also threatens maritime sovereignty," adding, "We will continue to pursue enforcement and institutional reforms to eradicate illegal fishing."

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