South Korea Responds to China's Unilateral Actions in the Yellow Sea
On May 27, the South Korean government convened a comprehensive inter-agency meeting to address China's unilateral installation of underwater structures and the establishment of navigation restriction zones in the Yellow Sea. This move comes as political parties across the spectrum have issued statements condemning China's actions in the region. A government source noted, "Given the approaching presidential election, it is unusual for a government-wide meeting to be held, but the urgent issue of maritime sovereignty has prompted this response from all parties, including the Democratic Party, the People Power Party, and the Reform Party."
The meeting, chaired by Kang Young-shin, Director of the Northeast and Central Asia Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, included officials from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of National Defense, and the National Intelligence Service. The government highlighted that China's activities in the Yellow Sea involve various entities, including civilian and military organizations, which have been employing a 'gray zone strategy' to expand their influence.
Recently, China has stirred controversy by installing a large 70-meter diameter steel structure in the Yellow Sea's provisional measures zone (PMZ), claiming it to be a modern aquaculture facility. Additionally, they have deployed modified structures on the seabed, asserting they are for managing aquaculture.
Furthermore, China unilaterally declared a 'navigation restriction zone' in parts of the PMZ from May 22 to 28, citing military activities. In response, the South Korean government expressed concerns, stating that excessively limiting the freedom of navigation for Korean vessels raises potential issues under international law. Reports indicate that China failed to notify Japan, the regional coordinator for the International Maritime Organization (IMO), about the navigation restrictions, which is recommended practice. The PMZ is a sensitive area where the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of South Korea and China overlap, and the installation of facilities or resource development is prohibited. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it will actively respond to ensure that South Korea's legitimate rights are not infringed upon.
Political parties have been vocal in condemning China's unilateral actions in the Yellow Sea. Kim Han-na, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's Central Election Countermeasure Committee, emphasized on May 26 that the party and its presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, will not tolerate any actions that infringe upon South Korea's maritime sovereignty, urging the Chinese government to cease all conflict-inducing activities. The People Power Party echoed these sentiments, demanding the immediate removal of illegal structures and emphasizing the need for prior notification to the South Korean government regarding navigation restrictions to build trust between the two nations.
In a recent dialogue on marine cooperation between South Korea and China, China proposed to facilitate a site inspection of the Yellow Sea structures for South Korean officials. In response, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong stated that the government is internally reviewing whether to accept China's proposal and is maintaining communication with the Chinese side.
