North Korea Accuses South Korea Of Sending Warships Into Its Waters
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea’s navy yesterday accused South Korea of sending warships into its waters off the divided peninsula’s west coast, warning the South would face unspecified “consequences” if the alleged provocations continue. The South’s Defense Ministry rejected the North’s accusation.
North Korea doesn’t recognize the current sea border demarcated by the United Nations at the end of the 1950–53 Korean War, and has long claimed it should be further south.
The waters around the border are rich fishing grounds and boats from the two Koreas routinely jostle for position during the May-June crab-catching season. In 1999 and 2002, their navies fought deadly skirmishes, killing several sailors, and sinking six ships.
