[Opinion] NLL`s Bitter Reality

One of progressive college students` councils recently distributed an article, in which they refers to soldiers who exchanged fire in the Western Sea naval clash last year as `devils.` They argued that South Korean soldiers provoked the clash and chose to kill compatriots by sticking to the North Limit Line (NLL), which does not exist under the international law. I had a chance to aboard the ship sunken during the clash, arranged by the Ministry of Defense. The vessel was riddled with bullet holes, reminding us of the moments of life and death at that time. I remember that First Lieutenant Lee Hee-hwan, who survived the clash and lost one of his legs, sobbed at a monument-building ceremony, “I am sorry, caption. I was unable to save you and now I am alone.”

Fishermen go through much trouble due to the NLL. To catch fish around Baeckryung Island and Yeongpyong Island, residents are required to follow operating hours set by the navy. They are not allowed to enter the 2km range of NLL, which is abundant in various kinds of fish. If a North Korean fishing boat enters the 2km range on their side, South Korean naval ships are dispatched. Likewise, a South Korean boat must remain away from the range unless it intends to be warned by North Korean navy. There are 53 crab-catching boats in Yeonpyong Island and each boat catches some 300 million won-worth crabs a year. The area is, indeed, a treasure house of sea resources.

It has recently been reported that a group of about 500 Chinese fishing boats roamed around Baekryeong Island, destroying our fishing areas. They use some 10km-long dragnets to sweep away fish in the area. They move along the buffer zone near the NLL, knowing that South and North Korean authorities will not able to access the area easily fearing a naval clash. When chased by South Korean patrol ships, they enter the North Korean side. When chased by North Koreans, they move over to the South Korean side. In July, South and North Koreans are not allowed to catch crabs. During that time, however, Chinese fishing boats continue drying up our sea resources.

South and North Korean armies recently exchanged fire in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), sparking tension in the peninsula. We must remain on full alert, especially thinking of the deaths of young soldiers during the naval clash last year. While lives of young Koreans are at stake, Chinese fishing boats are benefiting from the sad reality. While South and North Korean fishermen remain not allowed to access the crab-rich area, Chinese vessels are let loose to steal them away. To keep the right to control the sea resource-rich area while avoiding provoking a clash over the NLL, the two Koreas must agree to set the area as a joint fishing zone. By that way, we will no longer see such an article as distorts the tragic deaths of young soldiers as `devilish.`

Ahn In-hye, Guest Writer, Professor at Korea University, yhahn@korea.ac.kr