Chinese fisherman killed by rubber bullet in crackdown

A Chinese fisherman died Tuesday two hours after being shot by a rubber bullet fired by a Korean maritime officer in a crackdown on illegal fishing.

The Korea Coast Guard gave the fisherman first aid and sent him to Hankook Hospital in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, but he died.

The doctor who examined the fisherman said the patient had a bruise on his upper left abdomen that appeared to have been caused by external impact. The exact cause of death will be determined after an autopsy, he added.

The Korea Coast Guard imports rubber bullet launchers from the U.S.

shjung@donga.com