South Korea’s largest media outlet, JoongAng Ilbo, reported on July 11 that the country is facing a major territorial threat from China. Unlike the direct conflict of the long-standing tension between North Korea and South Korea, China is quietly advancing a “Yellow Sea Project,” aiming to turn the Yellow Sea – the body of water between China and South Korea – into China’s own maritime territory. This could have serious consequences for South Korea, JoongAng Ilbo reported.
Due to overlapping Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), South Korea and China agreed in 2000 to jointly manage a Provisional Measure Zone (PMZ), allowing fishing by Chinese boats but banning facility construction and resource development. Since 2018, however, China has installed large steel structures in the PMZ, allegedly for the purpose of aquaculture but potentially usable for military purposes. Seoul’s protests against Beijing’s actions have gone unanswered. In February 2025, a South Korean research vessel was blocked and threatened by Chinese forces when approaching the area.
The JoongAng Ilbo article suggests that South Korea consider building similar structures, citing Vietnam’s example in the South China Sea. The article criticizes the Korean government’s weak stance and urges stronger resolve to protect the country’s maritime sovereignty.
Source: Epoch Times, July 11, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/7/10/n14549090.htm