Illegal Fishing Clash

[Anchor Lead]

The Coast Guard fired nearly 200 gunshots to chase off Chinese fishing boats illegally fishing in South Korean waters earlier this week. The confrontation off the west coast lasted for five hours before the Chinese vessels finally retreated.

[Pkg]

A Chinese fishing vessel armed with iron netting crosses into Korean waters. It disregards honk signals asking them to leave after which the Korean Coast Guard fires warning shots.

[Soundbite] "Firing 12 gauge gunshots"

Rather, the Chinese boats approach even closer and Coast Guard officials respond with live ammunition.

[Soundbite] "Conduct 25 warning shots toward the front of the boat."

The fishing boats refuse to retreat and the Coast Guard's gunfire continues.

[Soundbite] "Conduct 25 warning shots toward the stern of the boat."

After five hours of confrontation, 44 Chinese fishing vessels all retreated from Korean waters. A total of 180 shots were fired to chase them away. It's the third time this year that the Coast Guard had to use weapons to chase off Chinese fishing boats.

[Soundbite] Lee Sang-in(Coast Guard West Regional Headquarters) : "We will sternly respond to foreign fishing boats armed with iron nets and iron grating that are illegally operating in Korean waters. Our response includes the use of crew-served weapons."

Regarding the incident, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying urged Korea not to use excessive means that could threaten the safety of Chinese sailors.