News Story: S. Korea vows armed crackdown on Chinese fishing ships

Chinese Fishing Fleet (File Photo)

South Korea's coastguard warned Tuesday of a "more aggressive" firearms policy towards Chinese fishing boats illegally operating in its waters, following a clash that sank one of its vessels.

Disputes over illegal fishing have dogged relations between South Korea and China for years, and there have been numerous skirmishes between the coastguard and Chinese crew members.

In the latest incident on Sunday a coastguard vessel capsized and sank after being rammed by a Chinese trawler that then sailed away.

There were no casualties but the South Korean foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned the Chinese ambassador in Seoul to lodge a stern protest and demand "swift action to investigate, arrest and punish those responsible."

Meanwhile, the coastguard called a press conference to condemn the incident and warn of eased restrictions on the use of weapons -- ranging from ship's cannon to crew sidearms -- during such altercations.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily