Conclusion

Abstract

In 1996 a South Korean fishing vessel, the Peskama, left for Southeast Asia with six Korean Chinese aboard. The Korean Chinese had worked as teachers in China and were looking for an opportunity to get to South Korea, the land of their dreams. In China they had found a broker who could get them aboard the South Korean fishing ship. According to the agreement, the Korean Chinese would be taken to South Korea, but in return they had to work on the fishing vessel for a certain period before landing. This system of indentured servitude created conflicts on the ship. The South Korean fishermen were compensated according to their catch, but the Korean Chinese had no incentive to be productive. This arrangement angered the South Koreans on board, resulting in mistreatment of the Korean Chinese, who were beaten and sworn at. The harsh conditions made the Korean Chinese want to leave, but they could not because they were in debt to the broker. Frustrated with their situation, the Korean Chinese murdered seven South Koreans and three Indonesians on board. They were soon caught in the Japan Sea and taken into custody in South Korea.