Coastguard probing Chinese fishermen over officer's death

MOKPO, South Korea, Sept. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korean coastguard officials said Saturday they have begun questioning a group of illegal Chinese fishermen over the death of a South Korean officer who was found dead after a clash with them at sea.

The 48-year-old coast guard named Park Kyong-jo went missing Thursday night while
he tried to capture a 50-ton boat with 11 Chinese crew, officials said. His body
was found a day later floating off the southwestern coast with a rope around his
neck.
The coastguard authorities in the port city of Mokpo, about 360 kilometers south
of Seoul, said they have arrested nine of the 11 Chinese fishermen and are
looking into the possibility of homicide.
The officials said the remaining two will arrive in Mokpo later Saturday, adding
that bruises were found on Park's body and that they are looking into whether the
officer was dragged into the Chinese boat during the clash.
Chinese boats are routinely caught fishing in the South Korean water, with
experts saying the level of violence has recently spiked in clashes between
Chinese fishermen and South Korean officers.