Korean navies clash off west coast

South and North Korean navies yesterday clashed off the west coast of the peninsula in a third such conflict since 1999, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday.

No South Korean casualties were reported, officials said, but North Korea is believed to have suffered damage, while no casualties have been confirmed as of yet.

The battle was not at close range, according to Navy officials.

A North Korean patrol boat violated the Northern Limit Line, venturing south of the defacto marine border at 11:27 a.m.

The South Korean Navy fired warning shots about 10 minutes later, to which the North immediately responded. The battle itself consequently erupted at around 11:37 a.m., near Baekryeong Island, the JCS said.

The clash lasted approximately one minute.

The South Korean Navy first issued verbal warnings to the North Korean ship at 11:22 a.m., after noticing that the patrol boat was traveling too close to the NLL.



Hours later, North Korea demanded an apology from the South.

President Lee Myung-bak yesterday held a meeting of security ministers including Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and Defense Minister Kim Tae-young to address the naval clash.

Lee was quoted as having requested Kim to "maintain tight security vigilance" and take measures to prevent the situation from further worsening.

Regarding North Korea`s motive, the government had yet to produce an official analysis as of press time, but Prime Minister Chung Un-chan told lawmakers that it was "an accidental incident."

Yesterday`s naval clash was the first in seven years following the latest in 2002.



Both the first -- in 1999 -- and second skirmishes resulted in bloodshed on both sides.

The first battle saw nine South Korean sailors injured, while in the second, six were killed and 18 others injured.

Recently revealed confidential reports showed that North Korea suffered incomparably heavy damage in the battles.

Officials and military watchers said the Navy was able to minimize damage in the latest battle following the revision of combat rules in 2004.



The new rules reduced the steps leading to the authorization of engagement. Commanders also were allowed more discretion under the revised rules.

Yesterday`s clash at the disputed NLL comes as the two Koreas appeared to be reconciling amid growing anticipation for bilateral talks between the United States and North Korea to discuss ways to end Pyongyang`s nuclear weapons programs.

The North is known to engage in controversial activities shortly ahead of negotiations; Pyongyang recently test-fired a number of short-range missiles.

(jemmie@heraldm.com)





By Kim Ji-hyun