South Korea Tightens NLL Enforcement from September Swimming Crab Season, Establishes New Baengnyeong Island Special Suppression Unit and Adds Illegal Gear Removal

The South Korean government announced on August 27 its "Response Plan for Illegal Fishing by Foreign Fishing Vessels near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea," deciding to strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing by foreign fishing vessels near the NLL starting with the September autumn swimming crab season, and to expand joint operations among the Coast Guard, Navy, oceans and fisheries authorities, and local governments.

Under the plan, South Korea intends to strengthen joint enforcement across all waters south of the NLL while simplifying information-sharing procedures between military and police. Fishing by foreign vessels is prohibited in waters near the NLL. Because the area is a sensitive zone with a high concentration of North and South Korean military forces, South Korean enforcement assets face restrictions in approaching some waters, and some foreign fishing vessels have thus long remained in nearby waters engaged in illegal fishing.

Before unveiling the new plan, South Korea had already launched a special operation on August 11. That day, the South Korean Coast Guard, Navy, oceans and fisheries authorities, and local governments deployed a total of 31 enforcement vessels to conduct joint enforcement against foreign fishing vessels that had long remained in waters near Yeonpyeong Island, ultimately seizing 8 Chinese fishing vessels and expelling 24.

The newly announced plan targets not only actual fishing activity but also expands the scope of penalties for activities related to illegal operations. The South Korean government plans to amend the law to impose penalties on foreign fishing vessels for actions such as anchoring at sea for fishing purposes and resupplying materials. For illegally set fishing gear, removal will be accelerated, and artificial structures will be installed in key illegal fishing areas to make trawling operations more difficult.

The South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to deploy 1 decommissioned vessel and 2 private removal vessels starting in September to clean up illegal fishing gear in waters south of the NLL. It will subsequently secure additional decommissioned vessels and establish a regular illegal gear removal system.

Enforcement forces will also be increased. The South Korean Coast Guard's Special Guard Unit for the Five West Sea Islands is the agency specifically responsible for enforcement against illegal fishing by foreign vessels near the NLL and has carried out frontline enforcement duties since its establishment in 2017. The South Korean Coast Guard plans to add 2 new-type special maneuver boats to the unit and, on the basis of the existing special suppression units on Yeonpyeong Island and Daecheong Island, establish a new special suppression unit on Baengnyeong Island, while increasing personnel and equipment.

South Korea also plans to strengthen joint enforcement and diplomatic coordination with China. The South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will request implementation of relevant agreements previously reached by the South Korea-China Joint Fisheries Committee: South Korea notifies the China Coast Guard of information on illegal fishing by foreign vessels, and relevant Chinese authorities handle the matter seriously in accordance with the law.