Ieodo Int'l Seminar highlights need for practical cooperation amid gray zone threats

Maritime security experts urged more practical cooperation to counter gray zone coercion at the 10th Ieodo International Seminar in Jeju last week. The meeting brought together specialists from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam to discuss maritime security challenges in East Asia. Speakers said countries should focus on operational trust, hotlines and joint efforts on coast guard communication, search and rescue, pollution and shipping routes.

The seminar was co-organized by the Jeju-based Society of Ieodo Research and The Korea Times under the theme Maritime Security Cooperation Strategies among East Asian Countries: Responding to Intensifying Maritime Security Threats.

Ieodo is a submerged reef located 149 kilometers southwest of Korea’s southernmost island, Marado, and 287 kilometers east of China’s Sheshan Island.

The reef lies in an area where Korean and Chinese exclusive economic zone claims overlap, making it a longstanding point of contention in maritime boundary negotiations.

Chung Kee-yong said East Asia lacks operational trust more than dialogue on maritime security and called for practical cooperation instead of waiting to resolve sovereignty disputes.

The seminar included sessions on China’s gray zone activities, maritime disputes and international law, and sea lines of communication security, followed by a roundtable on practical cooperation.

Published Sep 17, 2026 9:57 am KST

Experts examine maritime disputes, international law and sea lane security

Society of Ieodo Research President Koh Choong-suk, front row center, poses with participants of the 10th Ieodo International Seminar, including scholars from Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines, during the seminar on Jeju Island, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

JEJU ISLAND — Maritime security experts called for stronger practical cooperation to counter gray zone coercion and prevent maritime tensions from escalating, as they gathered in Jeju last week for the 10th Ieodo International Seminar.

The seminar, held from Thursday to Saturday, brought together specialists from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam to discuss rising maritime security challenges in East Asia, including China’s gray zone activities, maritime disputes, the role of international law and the security of sea lines of communication (SLOC).

Co-organized by the Jeju-based think tank Society of Ieodo Research and The Korea Times, the seminar was held under the theme “Maritime Security Cooperation Strategies among East Asian Countries: Responding to Intensifying Maritime Security Threats.”

In his opening remarks, Koh Choong-suk, president of the Society of Ieodo Research, said the seminar’s 10th edition reflected the growing international importance of Ieodo — also known as Socotra Rock — and the broader maritime issues surrounding the region.

“The discussions led by distinguished scholars and experts from around the world make this gathering all the more meaningful. I am confident that your research and deliberations will enrich academic understanding of Ieodo and broaden international support and sympathy for Korea’s position,” Koh said on the seminar’s first day.

“This, I believe, is not merely in pursuit of the interests of one nation, but contributes to peace, stability, and cooperation among all who share the seas of East Asia.”

Society of Ieodo Research President Koh Choong-suk delivers an opening speech during the 10th Ieodo International Seminar, hosted jointly by the Jeju-based think tank and The Korea Times, on Jeju Island, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Ieodo is a submerged reef located 149 kilometers southwest of Korea’s southernmost island, Marado, and 287 kilometers east of China’s Sheshan Island. The reef lies in an area where the Korean and Chinese exclusive economic zone (EEZ) claims overlap, making it a longstanding point of contention in maritime boundary negotiations.

Although historical records have linked Ieodo to Korea, the issue is primarily tied to maritime jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides for EEZs extending up to 200 nautical miles from a coastal state’s baselines.

China faces similar maritime disputes with other neighboring countries, including Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Chung Kee-yong, special representative for the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, delivered the keynote address, urging East Asian countries to turn their commitments to maritime security into practical mechanisms.

“East Asia does not suffer from a shortage of dialogue on maritime security. It suffers from a shortage of operational trust,” Chung said.

He described gray zone activities as efforts to gain strategic advantages without openly crossing the threshold of armed conflict, involving tools ranging from coast guard and paramilitary vessels to legal and information operations.

“If we overreact, we risk escalation,” Chung said. “If we underreact, we normalize coercion.”

Chung Kee-yong, special representative for the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, delivers a keynote speech during the 10th Ieodo International Seminar, hosted jointly by the Jeju-based think tank and The Korea Times, on Jeju Island, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

He urged countries to focus on practical cooperation in areas of shared interest, including coast guard communication, search and rescue, marine pollution and maritime trade, rather than waiting to resolve sovereignty disputes.

“We do not need to solve every dispute before we reduce every risk. In fact, we must reduce risks precisely because disputes remain unresolved,” he said.

Chung also stressed the importance of regularly testing maritime hotlines and strengthening the rules-based maritime order.

“A hotline that is never tested is not a hotline,” he said. “Korea is a maritime trading state whose prosperity depends on open, safe, stable, and lawful seas … For us, the rules-based maritime order is not a slogan. It is a condition of national life.”

Gray zones and cognitive warfare

The first session, moderated by Keimyung University professor Lee Ji-yong, examined China's gray zone activities and their implications for maritime security in East Asia.

Neil Silva, a legal officer at the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines Law Center, examined China's activities in the South China Sea, focusing on maritime claims, legal issues and patterns of coercion.

He discussed China’s use of maritime, legal, cyber and political means, including positional lawfare and retaliatory lawmaking, as well as possible legal responses.

Participants watch a presentation at the 10th Ieodo International Seminar, an annual event organized by the Society of Ieodo Research, on Jeju Island, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Ming-Shih Shen of Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research focused on China's cognitive warfare against Taiwan, discussing its use of propaganda, political messaging and disinformation to influence public perceptions.

He also reviewed the use of artificial intelligence-driven deepfake technology and Taiwan's responses, including fact checking and public verification, legal and regulatory measures, international cooperation, technical defenses and media literacy efforts.

Kim Jee-yong, an international relations professor at the Republic of Korea Naval Academy, explored China's gray zone activities in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, and Korea's possible response.

He focused on China’s coast guard activities, unilateral maritime installations and legal measures, while also examining the broader strategic environment involving China, Korea and the United States.

Panel discussions following the presentations with three discussants — Kunsan National University professor Youn Young-min, Min Young-hun of the Korea Maritime Institute and Republic of Korea Naval War College professor Kim Jeong-hyun — addressed the challenges of attributing actions involving maritime militias, applying international law and formulating calibrated responses to activities below the threshold of armed conflict.

Maritime disputes and international law

The second session, moderated by Inha University professor Kim Hyun-soo, on the next day focused on maritime disputes and the role of international law.

Nguyen Thi Lan Huong from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam presented Vietnam's strategy in the South China Sea, emphasizing peaceful dispute resolution, international law and the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology professor Doo Hyun-wook, right, speaks during the second session of the 10th Ieodo International Seminar on Jeju Island, Friday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

She discussed the country’s position on sovereignty and maritime rights and its use of international legal frameworks to address maritime disputes.

Renato Cruz De Castro, an international studies professor at De La Salle University, examined the July 12, 2016 UNCLOS arbitral award involving the Philippines and China, focusing on the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen its defenses and protect its maritime interests as China expands its presence in the South China Sea.

Park Young-kil of the Korea Maritime Institute examined legal issues surrounding maritime-boundary disputes amid the U.S.-China strategic competition. He analyzed China’s response to the Japan-Philippines maritime boundary delimitation and its implications for Korea-Japan negotiations.

The session’s panel discussion, featuring Bang Ho-sam of Chonnam National University, Lee Seo-hee of the Korea Maritime Institute and Doo Hyun-wook of the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology, explored how international law could help manage maritime disputes and strengthen regional cooperation.

The last session, moderated by former Ambassador to Spain Park Hee-kwon, highlighted SLOC security and maritime resource competition in East Asia.

Kenji Shimoyama, an international law professor at the Japan Coast Guard Academy, examined the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as vital SLOC chokepoints for Korea and Japan.

He assessed China's efforts to expand its maritime presence and diversify routes, including through the Belt and Road Initiative, urging both countries to strengthen responses to gray zone disruptions.

Participants attend the 10th Ieodo International Seminar on Jeju Island, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Ying-Yu Lin, an associate professor at Taiwan’s Tamkang University, analyzed China’s expanding maritime strategy, linking coercive operations around Taiwan to SLOC security.

He outlined military drills and coast guard operations around Taiwan, alongside coercive options including quarantines, boarding and interdiction, and Beijing’s efforts to diversify transport through Southeast Asian land corridors and Arctic shipping routes.

Ban Kil-Joo of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy proposed combining broader regional cooperation on maritime safety and environmental issues with closer coordination among allies and partners to protect vital shipping routes.

He emphasized no single country could ensure the security of East Asia’s sea lanes and called for better information-sharing, dialogue and practical cooperation.

The panel discussion — joined by former Oceans and Fisheries Minister Kim Sung-jin, Lee Jun-sung of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity and Jang Sung-il of the Northeast Asian History Foundation — discussed SLOC security and regional cooperation.

The seminar concluded with a roundtable moderated by Dankook University professor Kim Jin-ho, where the three session moderators discussed ways to develop practical cooperation on maritime security.

上周在济州岛举行的第十届离岛国际研讨会上，海上安全专家呼吁加强务实合作，以应对灰色地带的胁迫行为。此次会议汇聚了来自韩国、日本、台湾、菲律宾和越南的专家，共同探讨东亚海上安全面临的挑战。与会者指出，各国应重点关注行动互信、热线机制以及在海岸警卫队通信、搜救、污染控制和航线规划等方面的联合行动。

本次研讨会由济州岛离岛研究协会和《韩国时报》联合举办，主题为“东亚国家海上安全合作战略：应对日益严峻的海上安全威胁”。

伊奥岛是一个水下礁石，位于韩国最南端的岛屿马罗岛西南 149 公里处，中国佘山岛以东 287 公里处。

该礁石位于韩国和中国专属经济区主张重叠的区域，因此长期以来一直是海上边界谈判的争议点。

郑基永表示，东亚在海上安全问题上缺乏的是行动上的信任，而不是对话，他呼吁开展务实合作，而不是等待解决主权争端。

研讨会包括关于中国灰色地带活动、海上争端与国际法、海上交通线安全等议题的会议，随后举行了关于务实合作的圆桌会议。

发布于2026年9月17日上午9:57（韩国标准时间）

专家们探讨海上争端、国际法和海上航道安全问题。

韩国离域研究学会会长高忠硕（前排中）与参加第十届离域国际研讨会的学者合影，这些学者来自韩国、台湾、越南、日本和菲律宾。照片摄于周四，地点为济州岛。韩国时报 崔元硕

济州岛——上周，海上安全专家齐聚济州岛参加第十届离岛国际研讨会，他们呼吁加强务实合作，以应对灰色地带的胁迫，防止海上紧张局势升级。

本次研讨会于周四至周六举行，汇聚了来自韩国、日本、台湾、菲律宾和越南的专家，共同探讨东亚日益严峻的海上安全挑战，包括中国的灰色地带活动、海上争端、国际法的作用以及海上交通线（SLOC）的安全。

本次研讨会由济州岛智库离岛研究学会和《韩国时报》联合举办，主题为“东亚国家海上安全合作战略：应对日益严峻的海上安全威胁”。

在开幕致辞中，伊奥多研究协会主席高忠硕表示，本次研讨会的第十届反映了伊奥多（又名索科特拉岩）日益增长的国际重要性，以及该地区更广泛的海洋问题。

“来自世界各地的杰出学者和专家主持的讨论，使本次会议更具意义。我相信，你们的研究和讨论将丰富学术界对离尾岛的理解，并扩大国际社会对韩国立场的支持和同情，”高在研讨会第一天说道。

“我认为这不仅仅是追求一个国家的利益，而且有助于东亚所有共享海洋的国家之间的和平、稳定与合作。”

济州岛智库离岛研究所所长高忠硕在由济州岛智库离岛研究所和《韩国时报》联合主办的第十届离岛国际研讨会上致开幕词。（《韩国时报》崔元硕摄）

离岛是一处位于韩国最南端岛屿马罗岛西南149公里、中国佘山岛以东287公里的暗礁。该礁位于朝中两国专属经济区（EEZ）主张重叠的区域，因此长期以来一直是海上边界谈判的争议焦点。

虽然历史记录将离倭岛与韩国联系起来，但这个问题主要与《联合国海洋法公约》下的海洋管辖权有关，该公约规定专属经济区从沿海国的基线延伸至 200 海里。

中国与其他邻国，包括日本、菲律宾和越南，也面临着类似的海洋争端。

南极条约协商会议特别代表郑基勇发表主旨演讲，敦促东亚国家将对海上安全的承诺转化为切实可行的机制。

“东亚地区并不缺乏海上安全对话，而是缺乏行动上的信任，”钟先生说。

他将灰色地带活动描述为在不公开跨越武装冲突门槛的情况下获取战略优势的努力，涉及的手段包括海岸警卫队和准军事船只以及法律和信息行动。

“如果我们反应过度，可能会导致事态升级，”钟说。“如果我们反应不足，就会使胁迫行为正常化。”

南极条约协商会议特别代表郑基勇周四在济州岛举行的第十届离岛国际研讨会上发表主旨演讲。此次研讨会由济州智库离岛国际与《韩国时报》联合主办。《韩国时报》崔元硕摄。

他敦促各国将重点放在共同关心的领域的务实合作上，包括海岸警卫队通信、搜救、海洋污染和海上贸易，而不是等待解决主权争端。

“我们不需要先解决所有争端才能降低所有风险。事实上，我们恰恰是因为争端悬而未决才更应该降低风险，”他说道。

钟先生还强调了定期测试海上热线和加强以规则为基础的海上秩序的重要性。

“一条从未被测试过的热线就不是热线，”他说。“韩国是一个海洋贸易国家，其繁荣依赖于开放、安全、稳定和合法的海洋……对我们而言，基于规则的海洋秩序不是一句口号，而是国家生存的必要条件。”

灰色地带和认知战

第一场会议由启明大学教授李智勇主持，探讨了中国的灰色地带活动及其对东亚海上安全的影响。

菲律宾大学法律中心海洋事务与海洋法研究所的法律官员尼尔·席尔瓦研究了中国在南海的活动，重点关注海洋主张、法律问题和胁迫模式。

他探讨了中国利用海上、法律、网络和政治手段，包括立场性法律战和报复性立法，以及可能的法律应对措施。

周四，在济州岛举行的第十届离余岛国际研讨会上，与会者正在观看一场报告。该研讨会是由离余岛研究协会主办的年度盛会。（韩国时报 崔元硕 摄）

台湾国防安全研究院的沈明仕重点关注中国对台湾的认知战，探讨了中国如何利用宣传、政治信息和虚假信息来影响公众认知。

他还回顾了人工智能驱动的深度伪造技术的使用情况以及台湾的应对措施，包括事实核查和公众核实、法律和监管措施、国际合作、技术防御和媒体素养工作。

韩国海军学院国际关系教授金智勇探讨了中国在黄海和东海的灰色地带活动，以及韩国可能的应对措施。

他重点关注了中国海警活动、单方面海上设施建设和法律措施，同时还考察了涉及中国、韩国和美国的更广泛的战略环境。

在演讲结束后，由群山国立大学教授尹永敏、韩国海洋研究所的闵永勋和韩国海军战争学院教授金正铉组成的小组进行了讨论，探讨了归因海上民兵行动、应用国际法以及对低于武装冲突门槛的活动制定有针对性的应对措施所面临的挑战。

海事争端与国际法

第二天，由仁荷大学教授金贤洙主持的第二场会议重点讨论了海上争端和国际法的作用。

越南外交学院的阮氏兰香介绍了越南在南海的战略，强调和平解决争端、国际法和《联合国海洋法公约》（UNCLOS）。

韩国海洋水产技术研究院教授杜贤旭（右）于周五在济州岛举行的第十届离岛国际研讨会第二场会议上发言。韩国时报崔元硕摄

她探讨了该国在主权和海洋权利方面的立场，以及该国如何利用国际法律框架解决海洋争端。

德拉萨大学国际研究教授雷纳托·克鲁兹·德·卡斯特罗研究了 2016 年 7 月 12 日涉及菲律宾和中国的《联合国海洋法公约》仲裁裁决，重点关注随着中国在南海扩大存在，菲律宾为加强其防御和保护其海洋利益所做的努力。

韩国海洋研究院的朴永吉（Park Young-kil）研究了中美战略竞争背景下围绕海洋边界争端的法律问题。他分析了中国对日菲海洋边界划定的回应及其对韩日谈判的影响。

本次会议的小组讨论由全南国立大学的方浩三、韩国海洋研究院的李瑞熙和韩国海洋水产技术研究院的杜贤旭主持，探讨了国际法如何帮助管理海洋争端和加强区域合作。

最后一场会议由前驻西班牙大使朴熙权主持，重点讨论了东亚海上交通线安全和海洋资源竞争。

日本海上保安厅大学国际法教授下山健二研究了马六甲海峡和南海，认为它们是朝鲜和日本海上交通线的重要咽喉要道。

他评估了中国为扩大海上存在和实现航线多元化所做的努力，包括通过“一带一路”倡议，并敦促两国加强对灰色地带干扰的应对。

周四，与会者在济州岛参加第十届离岛国际研讨会。（韩国时报 崔元硕 摄）

台湾淡江大学副教授林英宇分析了中国不断扩张的海上战略，将台湾周边的胁迫行动与海上交通线安全联系起来。

他概述了台湾周边地区的军事演习和海岸警卫队行动，以及包括隔离、登船和拦截在内的强制措施，还有北京为实现东南亚陆路走廊和北极航运路线的多元化运输所做的努力。

韩国国立外交学院的潘吉柱提议，应在海上安全和环境问题上开展更广泛的区域合作，并加强盟友和伙伴之间的协调，以保护重要的航运路线。

他强调，没有哪个国家能够确保东亚海上航道的安全，并呼吁加强信息共享、对话和务实合作。

小组讨论——前海洋水产部长金成镇、济州和平繁荣论坛的李俊成和东北亚历史基金会的张成日参与其中——讨论了海上交通线安全和区域合作。

研讨会最后举行了一场圆桌会议，由檀国大学教授金镇浩主持，三位会议主持人讨论了在海上安全领域开展务实合作的方式。