Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“During crab season, we are protecting our fishing grounds” - DMZ police mobilized

Based on the ceasefire agreement, a crackdown on illegal fishing operations

“If North Korea uses this as an excuse for a provocation, we will respond strongly”

The DMZ Police, consisting of the Korean military, maritime police and members of the Military Armistice Commission of the United Nations Command (hereinafter referred to as UNC), has resumed its eviction of illegal fishing boats in neutral waters around the Han River estuary.

On August 31, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (hereinafter referred to as JCS) announced that the DMZ police planned to resume its operations within the neutral waters around the Han River estuary in earnest starting on September 1, following the first half-year.

For its crackdown on the illegal fishing boats in the neutral waters around the Han River estuary, which have been increasing since last year, our government has closely cooperated with the UNC and deployed the DMZ police organized with military, maritime police and members of the UNC Military Armistice Commission. In just 8 days, the police evicted 54 and arrested 2 of Chinese boats, retrieving 65 fishing nets, fish traps and buoys as a result of operations.

In the ceasefire agreement reached on July 27, 1953, the neutral waters around the Han River estuary were designated as a buffer zone similar to the demilitarized zone on the land in order to prevent military conflict. Access to the waters without the permission of the Military Armistice Commission of the UNC is restricted.

The DMZ police are working in the neutral waters to crack down on the unsanctioned fishing activities of Chinese boats. They form a fleet within 10 boats, pillaging the fisheries with a dragnet, and continue their illegal fishing by abusing the fact that it is hard catch them if they flee towards the waters of North Korea.

Our military has constantly mobilized the DMZ police to counter the re-invasion of illegal fishing boats, following the eviction of them from the Han River estuary. As those Chinese illegal fishing boats are expected to attempt to enter the Han River estuary at a significantly increased frequency, especially starting September 1 when the crabs reach maturity, the military plans to step up the operation of the DMZ police.

In the meantime, our military has steadily held individual and team training sessions to enhance the expertise of the DMZ police while ensuring their mission readiness through comprehensive actual run-throughs using civil boats as stand-ins for illegal fishing boat.

A relevant official of the JCS said, “The DMZ police operations in the neutral waters around the Han River estuary are engaging in a lawful action to clamp down on the illegal fishing boats in accordance with the ceasefire agreement. If North Korea uses this action as an excuse to attempt any provocation, we will respond strongly based on the right of self-defense.”

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

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