China demands damages from Seoul over fishing boat clash

China has expressed "grave concern" and has demanded compensation from Seoul over last weekend’s clash between Chinese fishermen and the South Korean coast guard, the Wall Street Journal reported. It was China’s first official statement following reports that a Chinese fishing boat rammed a Korean patrol ship after it was caught fishing illegally in Korean waters. The Chinese vessel capsized as a result, leaving one crew member dead and one missing. The Chinese foreign ministry called on Korea to rescue the missing fisherman, punish the instigators of the clash and offer compensation for the loss of life and property. According to South Korea’s coast guard, over 300 Chinese fishing vessels are caught illegally entering Korean waters every year. Fears have been growing that China is deliberately sending fishing vessels into disputed ocean territories.