(LEAD) S. Korea voices concerns over Philippine, Chinese vessels collision

South Korea's foreign ministry expressed deep concerns Thursday over the collision between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, a region long plagued by persistent territorial disputes. "Our government is deeply concerned about the dangerous situation caused by the collision between the Chinese and Philippine vessels and use of water cannons against the Philippine vessels in the South China Sea," the ministry spokesperson, Lim Soo-suk, said in a press briefing. "We support the maintenance of peace, stability and rules-based order in the South China Sea, as well as the freedom of navigation and overflight based on the principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea." The Philippines Coast Guard earlier said a Chinese Coast Guard ship caused damage to one of its ships attempting to deliver supplies to Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal, by Manila on Tuesday. China's use of water cannons also caused injuries to four Filipino crew members. The shoal lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, but both Beijing and Manila claim it as their sovereign territory. In a Facebook post Wednesday, the South Korean Embassy in Manila also voiced concerns over the recent incident surrounding the geopolitically charged issue, as the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has been seen pursuing a clearer foreign policy stance on the protection of freedom of navigation and overflight in the crucial waterway. Source: Yonhap News Agency