Overview

• China has installed steel structures, including a repurposed oil rig, in the Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ), violating a bilateral fisheries agreement and international law.
• South Korea is coordinating with financial authorities to build its own facility in the PMZ as a proportional response to China's actions.
• Beijing has refused South Korea's requests for inspections of the structures, maintaining secrecy about their purpose and potential seabed fixation.
• The upcoming Korea-China maritime dialogue will focus on addressing these installations, with Seoul demanding transparency and adherence to international norms.
• South Korean lawmakers across political parties have united in calling for a firm and coordinated defense of the nation's maritime sovereignty.