Hundreds riot outside Chinese embassy in Seoul

Beijing expressed regret yesterday over the death of a South Korean coast guard, who was allegedly killed Monday by a Chinese fishing boat captain during a clash at sea.

"The Chinese side regrets the incident caused the death of a South Korean coast guard," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.

"China will work with their South Korean counterparts during the investigation and handle the case properly," Liu added.

The incident happened after the South Korean coast guard took control of a Chinese boat fishing in South Korea's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

According to the Yonhap News Agency, 41-year-old officer Lee Cheong-ho was stabbed to death by the Chinese captain with two knives. Both knives were checked for fingerprints.

The skipper was reportedly being questioned yesterday in the western port of Incheon, together with eight of his crewmen.

A coast guard officer told the AFP the captain has denied stabbing the South Korean officer, but investigators have obtained firm enough evidence to lay charges.