Seoul: Recent revelations concerning China's activities in the Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) in the West Sea have sparked renewed concerns over Beijing's increasing maritime assertiveness.
According to Yonhap News Agency, newly released photographs reveal divers and maintenance personnel working on steel structures that China installed without prior consultation. While Beijing claims these are "deep-sea aquaculture platforms," their scale and guarded nature suggest they are part of a broader strategy to establish a Chinese presence in contested waters.
The PMZ was established under the 2001 Korea-China Fisheries Agreement as a temporary measure pending the negotiation of a permanent maritime boundary. While the agreement permits fishing activities, it explicitly prohibits the construction of fixed structures. However, since erecting facilities dubbed Shenlan 1 and Shenlan 2 in 2018, China has expanded them steadily since 2022. Korean authorities report that Chinese vessels have blocked access to the area, and Beijing unilaterally declared parts of the PMZ, including areas within Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a no-sail zone earlier this year for military drills.
These actions mirror China's approach in the South China Sea, where small installations have evolved into artificial islands hosting radar systems and military airstrips. Concerns are growing that Beijing is attempting a similar strategy in the West Sea, effectively transforming disputed maritime areas into de facto Chinese territory. Images showing divers and industrial equipment, which are rarely associated with aquaculture, deepen suspicions that China's intentions extend beyond fisheries.
In response, Seoul's reaction has been muted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "China has explained the facilities have no military or sovereignty-related purpose" and found it "difficult to definitively determine" whether the installations violate the fisheries agreement. This cautious language contrasts with the Republic of Korea Navy chief's remarks that China "is not complying with international law." These mixed signals risk projecting weakness at a time when assertiveness is crucial.
The West Sea is a critical strategic buffer, not merely a fishing zone. The installations' proximity to U.S. Forces Korea facilities in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, raises security concerns. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs nominee recently warned that "China's activities in the West Sea appear intended to intimidate South Korea." This issue is not only a bilateral dispute but also a matter of regional stability that requires close Korea-U.S. coordination.
Korea must take principled and proportionate action grounded in international law to protect its maritime sovereignty. The government should formally demand that China disclose detailed information on these structures, allow joint on-site inspections and environmental impact assessments, and dismantle the installations if found to violate the fisheries agreement. Should Beijing refuse, Seoul must proceed with proportional countermeasures, such as installing its own marine research platforms or navigational buoys within the PMZ, and ensure necessary funding is restored in the national budget.
These revelations come at a sensitive time, as Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, his first visit in 11 years. While many topics are on the bilateral agenda, this issue must not be sidestepped. President Lee Jae Myung should address the West Sea structures directly with Xi and make a clear demand for their removal. A measured but firm response will demonstrate that Seoul values dialogue but will not compromise its sovereignty.
Defending Korea's territorial waters is not optional. China's pattern of unilateral expansion cannot be ignored or excused under the guise of diplomacy. Upholding maritime sovereignty through law, vigilance, and resolve is not only a matter of national pride but a duty to future generations.