Seoul, March 26th – In a tit-for-tat move reflecting escalating tensions in the Yellow Sea, South Korea has announced the deployment of large floating buoys in the Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ). This action comes in response to China’s recent installation of steel structures in the same waters without prior consultation, according to South Korean officials.
Kang Do-hyung, South Korea’s Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, addressed the issue during a session of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee. When questioned about the government’s planned response to the Chinese structures, Kang stated that South Korea was acting on the principle of reciprocity.
The government has installed fixed floating structures in the Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone, Kang said. We are taking feasible countermeasures, starting with environmental surveys, while closely monitoring China’s related movements.
The PMZ, located in the Yellow Sea (referred to as the West Sea by South Korea), is a jointly managed area established due to overlapping Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) between the two countries. This zone has become a point of contention, with both nations vying for resource control and maritime influence.
The South Korean government is exploring various methods to gather information and potentially counteract the Chinese presence. Minister Kang mentioned potential measures including marine scientific research and the use of equipment capable of identifying characteristics of Chinese aquaculture farms in the area.
This latest development underscores the delicate balance of power and the ongoing disputes over maritime boundaries and resource rights in the region. The situation calls for careful diplomacy and adherence to international maritime law to prevent further escalation and ensure sustainable management of the shared waters.
Conclusion:
The deployment of floating buoys by South Korea in the PMZ represents a firm response to China’s unilateral actions in the disputed waters. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in managing shared maritime resources and the importance of diplomatic solutions to avoid further tensions. Future research and monitoring of the situation are crucial to understanding the long-term environmental and geopolitical implications of these actions.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2024, March 26). 韩高官：按对等原则在韩中暂定措施水域设漂浮物 [South Korean Official: Floating Objects Installed in Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone Based on Reciprocity]. Retrieved from [Insert URL if available].
Views: 0