The Challenge of Reconciling Conflicting Approaches across the Yellow Sea: Progress and Challenges for Maritime Boundary Delimitation between China and Korea

The dispute between China and Korea over substantial areas of the Yellow Sea has resulted in thousands of incidents at sea, predominantly relating to fisheries. The renewal of maritime boundary delimitation negotiations between China and Korea in late 2015, following a seven-year long hiatus, suggested that a resolution of this longstanding source of friction in their bilateral relations might be in prospect. Progress in discussions over the last decade appears to have been slow however. This paper outlines and critically analyses the two States’ competing maritime claims against the context of developments in the international law of ocean boundary-making and highlights key challenges likely to arise in maritime delimitation negotiations between them. The paper then outlines a number of avenues towards resolution or management of the dispute before concluding consideration are offered.