BUSAN — South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to imposing tougher measures against Chinese fishing vessels caught engaging in illegal fishing activities within South Korea’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Lee described the practice as completely unacceptable and urged law enforcement authorities to act decisively and without compromise.
The president delivered the remarks while receiving performance reports from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Coast Guard at the ministry’s temporary office in Busan on Tuesday (December 23, 2025). During the briefing, Lee criticized what he described as an overly lenient approach in the past that failed to create a deterrent effect.
“I have already instructed that enforcement should no longer be limited to driving vessels away or merely preventing their activities, but should include seizing as many violating vessels as possible. I want to know how far this policy has been implemented,” Lee said.
The president also highlighted the frequent resistance shown by foreign fishing vessels during enforcement operations. According to Lee, actions such as threatening officers or constructing physical barriers to obstruct law enforcement constitute serious violations that warrant heavier punishment.
“This is completely unacceptable. They break the law, obstruct officers, and even act in a threatening manner. In such circumstances, shouldn’t the penalties be significantly increased?” he said.
Lee warned that half-hearted enforcement only encourages repeat offenses. If penalties are perceived as minor, violators will treat arrests as a manageable business risk rather than a meaningful consequence.
“If enforcement is inconsistent, they will simply think that getting caught means bad luck. After that, they will return and offend again,” Lee said.
He also drew attention to the practice of collective funding among fishing vessels to cover fines or bail for detained ships. Such schemes, Lee argued, must be dismantled by raising penalties to levels that impose genuine financial pain.
“We must instill the perception that anyone who fishes illegally in Korean waters will inevitably suffer substantial financial losses. The fines must be heavy enough—even if ten vessels pool their resources to pay them,” he said.
In his remarks, Lee referenced Indonesia’s experience under former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti, who was widely known for her uncompromising policies against illegal foreign fishing vessels. He said the approach had proven effective in deterring violations.
“In Indonesia, illegal fishing vessels were dealt with firmly—even sunk—and after that, they stopped coming,” Lee said.
However, Lee stressed that South Korea would not replicate such extreme measures. Instead, the government would act strictly within the framework of national law, but with far more consistent and forceful enforcement.
“We cannot do the same thing, but we must demonstrate real legal firmness. A strong initial response may be burdensome, but it will reduce problems in the future,” he said.
Responding to the president’s directives, Acting Korea Coast Guard Commissioner Jang In-sik said the agency was prepared to strengthen enforcement efforts on the ground and would apply the maximum penalties permitted under the law.
“We are committed to enforcing the law strictly and are strengthening our measures against illegal fishing practices,” Jang said.
Meanwhile, Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Seong-beom stated that the government would soon push for regulatory revisions to strengthen the legal framework, including increasing fines and security deposits imposed on foreign vessels found violating fishing regulations.
(Faisal/FKY)
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