South Korean TV KBS: 'China Is Trying To Expand Its Influence In The West Sea And Create A Basis For Future Territorial Claims'
On March 18, 2025, South Korean pay television channel KBS reported that China had been caught once again installing large structures in the South Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) in the West Sea, also known as the Yellow Sea, where activities other than fishing are prohibited. The Korea-China PMZ is a maritime area established under a 2001 bilateral agreement to jointly manage overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZs) in the West Sea.
(Source: KBS)
Following is a transcript of KBS's report: [1]
"Standoff" Between China And South Korea
Anchor: "China has once again been caught installing large structures in the South Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone in the West Sea, where activities other than fishing are prohibited. As our [Republic of Korea (ROK; South Korea)] government began an investigation, the Chinese side obstructed it, leading to a standoff between the two sides, which has only recently come to light.
"There are suspicions that the Chinese government is laying the groundwork to assert territorial claims in the future, and our government has strongly protested to the Chinese Embassy."
(Source: KBS)
(Source: KBS)
"The South Korean government launched an investigation into the steel structure installed by China in the Korea-China Provisional Action Zone (PMZ) in the West Sea near Ieodo Island and confronted the Chinese coast guard." (Source: KBS; Mk.co.kr/en/society/11266742)
Onnuri, a marine research and science ship. (Source: Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Yonhap News)
"China Illegally Installed Two Large Structures In This Area"
Reporter: "Earlier this year, it was detected by our reconnaissance satellites that China had illegally installed a 50-meter-high steel structure in the 'South Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone.' On the 26th of last month [February 2025], the government sent the marine survey vessel Onnuri to inspect the structure, but as we approached, Chinese coast guard and civilians in three rubber boats came to block us, leading to a two-hour standoff with our coast guard.
"The Chinese side claimed, 'It is an aquaculture facility, so go back,' while our side insisted it was a 'legitimate investigation.'
"Immediately after the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned officials from the Chinese embassy in South Korea to convey our firm stance and protest. [Lee Jae-woong/Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: 'The government is actively responding at a whole-of-government level to ensure that our legitimate and lawful maritime rights in the West Sea are not affected.']
"The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that there are ongoing communications regarding maritime disputes between the two countries. [Mao Ning/Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: 'I can say that there are overlapping points in the maritime rights claims of China and South Korea.']
"The South Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) is an area where the exclusive economic zones of both countries overlap, and all activities other than fishing are prohibited.
"Last year, China also illegally installed two large structures in this area, prompting a backlash from our government, and now they have installed another structure.
"There are suspicions that China is trying to expand its influence in the West Sea and create a basis for future 'territorial claims.'"
[1] Youtube.com/watch?v=tEszR0S5K0I, March 18, 2025.
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