S. Korea coastguard shoots Chinese crewman
SEOUL — South Korea's coastguard has shot and wounded a Chinese crewman after coming under attack aboard a boat suspected of illegal fishing, Yonhap news agency has reported.
The agency, quoting coastguard officials, said the shooting happened after the 30-ton vessel and another Chinese fishing boat were captured Thursday about 100 kilometres (62 miles) southwest of the west coast town of Taean.
Coastguard spokesmen could not immediately be reached for confirmation of the incident, which would mark the first time the South has opened fire.
Yonhap said coastguard officers boarded the boats, which were suspected of fishing 11 kilometers inside South Korea's exclusive economic zone, but faced tough resistance from weapons-wielding Chinese crewmen.
The coastguard reportedly intends to impose a fine of 30 million won (almost $27,000) on each boat for illegal fishing and book the crewmen accused of wounding the South Korean officer.
Clashes between weapons-wielding Chinese fishermen and the South's coastguard are not unusual. One officer was killed in 2008.
Last December three Chinese detained for illegal fishing were freed without charge following protests from Beijing.
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