The 2010 Eocheong boat collision incident occurred on December 18, 2010 off Eocheong island about 270km near Gunsan in the Yellow Sea.[1][2] It was a conflict between the Republic of Korea Coast Guard boat and fishermen of People's Republic of China nationality.
About 50 Chinese fisherman boats were illegally fishing off the Eocheng island area. The Republic of Korea Coast Guard boat shot them with water cannons to move them back.[3] One of the 63 tonne Chinese fisherman boat then intentionally collided with the 3,000 tonne South Korean coastguard ship.[1][2] The fisherman boat capsized.[2]
The coastguard officers tried to arrest the fisherman for illegal fishing off the island. The fisherman resisted arrest and fought with steel bars, clubs and shovels.[2][4][5] In the conflict, four Korean coastguard officers were injured with fractured arms and other injuries.[1][2] One Chinese fisherman died and two others were missing. Eight boats and four helicopters later searched for the missing.[1] The fisherman who died was unconscious after the collison and fell into a coma dying at a hospital in Gunsan.[1][2]