South Korea has expressed "deep concern" over the installation of a maritime structure by China off the western coast of the Korean Peninsula, in an area of the Yellow Sea disputed by both countries.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry reported this Thursday that it officially conveyed its concerns to Chinese officials during a bilateral dialogue on maritime cooperation that took place on Wednesday in Seoul.
According to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the structure is located in the so-called Provisional Maritime Zone, where the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of South Korea and China overlap. This area has been the subject of recurrent tensions due to its undefined status in legal and territorial terms.
During the meeting, the Chinese side argued that the structure is simply aquaculture equipment, used for fish farming, and denied that it was related to territorial claims. The Chinese government stated that this installation doesn't violate either international law or the current fishing agreement between the two countries.
However, Seoul has expressed concern that the installation of this structure could be interpreted as an attempt by Beijing to strengthen its presence or its rights over this disputed area, which could set a dangerous precedent for future territorial claims.
The South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Tae-yul, stated before a parliamentary committee that his country is evaluating possible responses, including proportional countermeasures. However, he did not offer concrete details about the nature of these measures.
