The Spark? South Korean Coast Guard Kills 3 Chinese Fishermen

Tensions in the area where this happened are at an all time high. South Korea permits the Chinese to fish in these waters, but they must be properly permitted. The Chinese fishermen don’t like it, and the Chinese govt is trying to be diplomatic, but this was outright murder it appears to me. There will be some very angry Chinese people over this.

The incident began when a coastguard vessel identified the fishing boat in South Korean waters, and ordered it to stop for inspection.

A coastguard official said the men ignored the commands, and barricaded themselves inside the wheel-house while the boat continued to travel. Officers then fired “flashbang” or stun grenades into the space, after which a fire broke out.

Flashbang grenades are designed to be non-lethal, producing a very loud noise and intense light which temporarily affects vision and hearing. They can also disrupt a person’s balance by affecting fluids in the inner ear.

Chinese authorities have requested a full investigation, and South Korea’s coastguard has said one is already under way.

Fishing in South Korean waters by Chinese vessels is permitted with the proper authorisation, but illegal fishing has become a point of contention between the two countries in recent years.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37516098