Confrontation between Japanese and S. Korean patrol boats

Don’t tell me that a South Korean fishing boat was found by the JCG illegally fishing in Japanese waters and then quickly high-tailed it to South Korean waters, pleading that they are innocent and are being unfairly targeted by the JCG.

Plus, don’t tell me that the South Korean Coast Guard believed their B.S. story and abetted the fishing boat’s escape.

Say it’s not so.

South Korean fishermen are always illegally fishing in Japanese waters. The Japanese government knows it; the South Korean government knows it. In fact, that’s probably the main source of garbage on the beaches of Tsushima (to bring up an old post from Japan Probe).

It’s time for the JCG to grow a back bone and to do what’s necessary in these situations, even if it means firing shots and facing yet another round of South Koreans burning flags outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul.

I remember that famous incident back in 2005 where the JCG patrol boat actually latched onto the South Korean fishing boat and was literally dragged into South Korean waters.

If I remember correctly, the South Korean crew just got a little slap on the wrist and had to pay a token fine.

It was outrageous.