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Seoul, Beijing coordinate on maritime enforcement ahead of new legal frameworks

Published: 30 Apr. 2026, 18:04

The Korea Coast Guard conducts a joint training exercise in the Yellow Sea near Socheongdo, an island off the coast of Incheon, to crack down on illegal Chinese fishing vessels on April 9. [YONHAP]

Korea and China discussed on Thursday ways to curb illegal fishing and strengthen international maritime order amid upcoming changes to fisheries laws in both countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The meeting, held in China's city of Qingdao earlier in the day, brought together officials from both countries handling maritime, fisheries and related diplomatic affairs, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The two sides reviewed China's revised fisheries law set to take effect in May, as well as Korea's revised regulations on its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and shared the view that their legislative efforts could help curb illegal fishing and establish orderly fishing practices, contributing to the continued development of bilateral relations, the Foreign Ministry said.

They also agreed to closely monitor whether relevant regulations are properly implemented in China and to actively work to enhance understanding of Korea's domestic laws within China, it added.

Korea's revised EEZ fisheries law, set to take effect around May, raises fines and strengthens penalties against illegal foreign fishing vessels.

China's fisheries law, set to take effect on Friday, also includes several provisions strengthening regulations against illegal fishing.

"We will step up diplomatic efforts to fundamentally address illegal fishing issues while continuing communication and cooperation with China to ensure that such issues do not become a burden on bilateral relations," a Foreign Ministry official said.

Yonhap