Violence In Korean Waters Puts China Relations At Risk
-- L.A. Times
-- L.A. Times
Chinese fishermen, suspected of fishing illegally, are accused of killing a South Korean coast guard officer. In a separate incident, a North Korean patrol fires on a Chinese fishing boat.
BEIJING -- Two violent clashes in recent days involving Chinese fishermen at work off the Korean peninsula have threatened to roil the diplomatic waters between Beijing and two Asian neighbors, experts say.
South Korean maritime officials have detained 11 Chinese suspected of clubbing to death a South Korean coast guard officer last week as he tried to board their fishing vessel, which was suspected of illegally plying Korean territorial waters.
A North Korean patrol boat fired on another Chinese fishing boat Saturday, wounding the vessel's captain.
Seoul officials have long complained that Chinese fishermen trespass into the rich fishing waters off the peninsula. In the last four years, South Korea has caught more than 1,750 Chinese fishing vessels violating a 2001 fisheries treaty between the two nations, officials say.
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My Comment: No one wants to upset old nationalistic feelings and biases .... especially now. Financial/credit markets in turmoil, North Korean nuclear proliferation, oil shortages and high energy prices .... an added problem is not wanted now.