Barely 12 days into November, there have already been two serious incidents of heavy and potentially deadly gunfire launched by South Korea’s coast guard towards Chinese civilian boats, which were reportedly illegally fishing in South Korean waters. 

According to media reports, the Korea Coast Guard's vessels fired 95 bullets with M60 machine guns at some 30 Chinese boats operating in waters off the northwestern port city of Incheon at 11:16 a.m. local time on Saturday. The information was first disclosed by South Korean media on Sunday.

The media reports cite government officials as saying that they received no reports about damage to the South Korean vessels or of there being any casualties, but they could not confirm whether or not the Chinese boasts had suffered damage as they left the waters. They added that the M60 machine guns had been used during the encounter in accordance with their regulations. 

Saturday’s shooting came just days after a similarly ugly stand-off with Chinese fishing boats in waters near the southwestern Island of Socheong on November 1. The South Korean coast guard, at that time, also used M60 machine guns, firing 600-700 bullets. 

Between the two violent shooting incidents against Chinese fishing boats, the South Korean authorities released their most recent regulations on the use of weapons by the South Korean Coast Guard, in which the active use of firearms is permitted against “violent illegal fishing boats,” before coast guard personnel need to report the situation. 

Soon after the first shooting incident, China expressed its “strong dissatisfaction”, but still called for "enhanced communications and cooperation" between the two sides over emerging problems over the fishing. 

According to China’s Foreign Ministry, the Chinese side has, on more than one occasion, issued complaints with South Korea over its coast guard's use of force in carrying out law enforcement operations.

“The Chinese side once again requires the ROK (Republic of Korea) side to exercise restraint,” said Hua Chunying, spokeswoman of China’s Foreign Ministry. She urged South Korea to ensure the safety and legal rights of Chinese people. 

Chinese media issued fierce criticism of the actions of South Korea’s coast guard, blaming them for what they described as a “violent crackdown” on Chinese fishing boats. “Even though the Chinese were illegally conducting the fishing, they (the South Korean Coast Guard) should have treasured the people’s lives,” commented Chinese media outlet Global Times.

“We know there are some occasions that Chinese fishermen enter South Korean waters, which have been disfavored by both the Chinese government and social community, but the incidents should be treated objectively and rationally,” the newspaper continued. It said the South Korean coast guard has no right to launch potentially deadly shots towards Chinese citizens before they verify and confirm whether or not they pose any threat to their lives. 

Some media have speculated that the “barbaric acts” of the South Korean coast guard was part of a political ploy designed to distract angry South Koreans from the scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye, diverting their attention towards territorial issues with China.