South Korea on Tuesday complained to China over four Coast Guard officers who sustained serious injuries while trying to crack down on Chinese fisherman illegally fishing in its exclusive economic zone in the Yellow Sea.

The officers were seriously wounded on Monday while attempting to arrest 14 Chinese fishermen who brandished knives and metal pipes.

Of the Chinese fishermen, two were also injured in the struggle and are receiving medical attention.

A source at the Foreign Ministry said Seoul’s stance was conveyed through the proper diplomatic channels. He added that the government urged Beijing to come up with ways to prevent such accidents in the future.

“The Chinese embassy in Seoul said it would convey the message back to Beijing,” said the official, who requested anonymity.

Illegal Chinese fishing on the South Korean side of the Yellow Sea remains a thorny issue between the two neighbors, despite Seoul’s previous calls on the Chinese government to help stop the practice.

Many South Korean coast guard officers have been wounded, and one was killed while fighting illegal Chinese fishermen. The fishermen often resort to severe violence to escape the local crackdowns.

The Coast Guard has sought arrest warrants for all 14 of the Chinese crewmen aboard the 120-ton fishing boat. The boat was operating within South Korea’s EEZ near Gageo Island when it was approached by the Coast Guard. (Yonhap News)