The South Korean Embassy in Manila has expressed deep concerns over the collision between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, a region long plagued by persistent territorial disputes.
In a Facebook post Wednesday, the embassy touched on the recent incident surrounding the geopolitically charged issue, as the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has been seen pursuing a clearer foreign policy stance on the protection of freedom of navigation and overflight in the crucial waterway.
“The ROK Embassy in the Philippines is deeply concerned about the dangerous situation caused by the collision between the Chinese and Philippine vessels and use of water cannons against the Philippine vessels in the South China Sea,” it said, stressing that the situation threatens the safety of crew members and raises tensions in the concerned waters.
“We reiterate that peace, stability and rules-based order in the SCS must be upheld together with the freedom of navigation and overflight based on the princip
les of international law, including UNCLOS,” it added, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Philippines Coast Guard earlier said a Chinese Coast Guard ship caused damage to one of its ships attempting to deliver supplies to Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal by Manila, on Tuesday. China’s use of water cannons also caused injuries to four Filipino crew members.
The shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, but both Beijing and Manila claim it as their sovereign territory.
Source: Yonhap News Agency
