South Korea Confronts China Over Erecting Steel Structure in Disputed Maritime Zone

Seoul reaffirms its maritime claims after a tense standoff with Chinese vessels over a new steel structure in contested Yellow Sea waters.

The Onnuri, a 1,422-ton marine research vessel operated by the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Courtesy of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology

On Tuesday, the South Korean foreign ministry confirmed reports of a recent clash between its and Chinese coast guards in a disputed maritime region of the Yellow Sea. The two-hour standoff last month was first reported on March 18 by the Chosun Daily.

“The Korean government has actively responded at the government level to ensure our legitimate and legal maritime rights in the Yellow Sea are not affected,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said during the agency’s daily briefing. “We have also conveyed our firm position to the Chinese side regarding the reported incident.”