The Rhee Line was a maritime boundary claimed by South Korea but not recognized by other countries. South Korean naval vessels seized Japanese fishing boats said to have crossed it, and the practice continued for two years. Captive fishermen became leverage in negotiations over wider issues with Japan. Cable classifies the pressure as successful, showing that gunboat diplomacy can operate as a sustained campaign rather than a single dramatic deployment.
Notable Point · 32:11-32:40
The Rhee Line and coercion against Japanese fishing boats
South Korea's seizure of Japanese fishing boats illustrates prolonged maritime coercion used to pursue concessions on other disputes.