The Coast Guard said Tuesday they are seeking formal arrest warrants for two Chinese sailors accused of attacking and injuring four Korean officials who boarded their vessel suspected of illegally fishing in South Korean waters.
The two -- the 36-year-old skipper and a 29-year-old navigator -- are among nine Chinese fishermen who have been detained since early Monday following the attack that occurred on the Yellow Sea near Heuksan Island, South Jeolla Province.
The Coast Guard also imposed 15 million won ($13,292) bail for the release of the detained fishing boat, while freeing the remaining seven Chinese sailors because they were not involved in the attack.
One South Korean inspector who boarded the 227-ton Chinese vessel fell into the sea after being hit with a blunt instrument but was rescued by a South Korean Coast Guard boat.
Three other inspectors sustained both severe and minor injuries, but none were life-threatening, officials said. The Chinese boat was seized by the Coast Guard about two hours after the scuffle.
The four injured inspectors work for the West Sea Fisheries Supervision Office, which is affiliated with the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Also on Tuesday, the ministry called in a consul general from the Chinese embassy to lodge a strong protest over the attack, ministry officials said.
South Korea has vowed a tougher crackdown against illegal fishing by Chinese boats since one of its Coast Guard officers was stabbed to death by a Chinese captain in a raid last December.
The death sparked public outrage in South Korea and led the two governments to work together toward preventing illegal fishing. (Yonhap)