South Korea plans to deploy more fishery inspection boats and coast guard vessels in order to strengthen the surveillance of Chinese boats headed to North Korean waters through South Korea's eastern maritime territory.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said on Sunday that the surveillance vessels would start monitoring Chinese boats once they start approaching South Korean waters and protect South Korean fishing sources by guiding the Chinese fishing boats 40 to 50 kilometers away from shore.

The decision comes after North Korea and China signed an agreement on May 3 in Beijing that allows up to 1,100 Chinese trawlers to fish in North Korean waters from mid-June to late October this year.

The ministry also said it plans to request cooperation from Chinese authorities regarding the guidance of China's fishing boats during an official meeting in July.