South Korean Coast Guard Forcefully Detains Chinese Vessel

The South Korean Coast Guard forcefully prevented Chinese fishing vessels from the so-called “little blue men” flotilla from violating its territorial waters.

Columnist Nguyen Ho reported on this.

According to the report, the South Korean Coast Guard boarded one of the intruding vessels, used tear gas on the deck, and detained those on board.

Chinese fishing vessels that violate the territorial waters of the Republic of Korea often belong to the so-called China Maritime Militia – a force referred to as the “little blue men.”

These units are part of the regular armed forces of the PRC and include both ordinary and specially built maritime fishing vessels.

China’s maritime militia is considered an important component of the country’s maritime power and plays a key role in asserting national interests in disputed maritime areas.

It is actively involved in territorial disputes and conflicts over jurisdictional boundaries, as well as in monitoring foreign activities – including military operations – in waters claimed by China.

Beijing directly funds the maritime militia, and its crews include both military personnel and civilian sailors.

Such actions by China toward South Korea are nothing new. Since 2016, Chinese vessels with the appropriate permits have been allowed to fish in the waters of the Republic of Korea, but illegal fishing has recently become a point of contention.

Since then, there have been recorded cases of violent clashes between the South Korean Coast Guard and Chinese crew members.

Crews often switch off their transponders and ignore warnings from the Korean Coast Guard, making identification difficult and hindering enforcement.

This situation is causing significant depletion of fish stocks in the region, which is affecting the local fishing industry.

Such behavior is part of China’s broader strategy to expand its influence in border maritime zones, creating additional challenges for security and political relations in the region.

At the same time, Beijing officially denies responsibility for the actions of the fishing vessels, describing the incidents as misunderstandings.

Similar actions have occurred in relation to other countries as well, including Peru.

For example, in 2024, 525 Chinese vessels were recorded in the country’s exclusive economic zone, while in Peru itself there were barely 239.

The red dots show Chinese fishing vessels swarming Peru’s EEZ in 2024

525 Chinese boats in Peruvian waters, while Peru itself barely had 239

China’s greedy pirates emptied their own seas and are now hijacking the livelihoods of other nations’ fishermen. pic.twitter.com/MQdkZC0SrT

— David Walpiri (@DWalpiri) November 22, 2025

Apart from effectively seizing foreign waters, China is suppressing local fishing industries and depleting marine resources.