S. Korea, China tough on illegal fishing

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QINDAO, China, April 15 (UPI) -- South Korea and China say they have agreed on stricter punishments for illegal fishing in South Korean waters, officials said Sunday.

The countries also agreed to strengthen punishments for maritime violence and that Chinese boats will keep fishing logs using GPS technology when fishing near South Korea's waters, Yonhap reported. The agreement was struck last week in Qindao, China.

The tougher measures were sparked by the December killing of a South Korean coast guard officer by a Chinese skipper during a raid on the Chinese boat, Yonhap said. South Korean prosecutors demanded capital punishment for the skipper, who admitted to the killing. His sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, the report said.

The South Korean coast guard sent back more than 470 Chinese fishing boats in 2011, which had crossed into South Korean waters, Yonhap said.