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DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243219
TITLE=KOREAS / SUBMARINE (L-ONLY) 
BYLINE=JENNIFER VEALE
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  
INTRO: SOUTH KOREA'S NAVAL FORCES SANK A NORTH KOREAN SUBMARINE  
IN A PREDAWN  EXCHANGE OF FIRE ON FRIDAY. AS JENNIFER VEALE 
REPORTS FROM SEOUL,  THE INCIDENT,  WHICH BEGAN NEAR THE PORT OF 
YOSU IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF INCURSIONS BY NORTH KOREA INTO 
THE SOUTH'S WATERS.
TEXT: SOUTH KOREA'S DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS ITS FORCES EXCHANGED  
GUN-FIRE WITH A NORTH KOREAN SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL, CAPABLE OF 
CARRYING UP  TO SIX CREW-MEMBERS. IT SAYS ONE NORTH KOREAN WAS 
KILLED AND THE VESSEL WAS SUNK.
DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE NORTH KOREAN VESSEL WAS FIRST SPOTTED 
IN SOUTH  KOREAN WATERS LATE THURSDAY EVENING ,320 KILOMETERS 
SOUTH OF THE CAPITAL,  SEOUL.
TWELVE SOUTH KOREAN NAVY SHIPS AND THREE NAVY FIGHTER JETS CHASED
THE  VESSEL FOR FIVE AND ONE HALF HOURS, AS THE VESSEL WAS TRYING
TO FLEE. THEY EXCHANGED FIRE WITH THE  SUB AND THE BOAT WENT  
DOWN  IN WATERS OFF THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE  KOREAN PENINSULA.
OFFICIALS SAY THE DEAD BODY OF ONE ARMED CREWMAN WAS FOUND NEAR 
THE  SUBMARINE . BUT THE DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS IT SUSPECTS THAT 
OTHER NORTH KOREAN  CREWMEN WERE ABOARD THE VESSEL, AS WELL.
THE AREA HAS BEEN PUT ON HIGH ALERT, AS PATROL BOATS SEARCH THE  
SURROUNDING WATERS FOR OTHER BODIES. TROOPS ON SHORE ARE LOOKING 
FOR SURVIVORS.
IT IS THE FOURTH  INCURSION SINCE JUNE, BY A SUSPECTED  NORTH 
KOREAN SPY VESSEL. IN THE  JUNE INCIDENT,  A NORTH KOREAN SUB WAS
CAPTURED AFTER BECOMING SNAGGED IN FISHING  NETS OFF SOUTH 
KOREA'S EAST COAST. NINE CREW MEMBERS WERE FOUND DEAD INSIDE.
SOON AFTERWARDS, THE WET-SUIT-CLAD BODY OF A NORTH KOREAN 
COMMANDO WAS  FOUND WASHED ASHORE AT THE PORT OF TONGHAE, IN THE 
SAME AREA.  IN LATE  NOVEMBER, SOUTH KOREAN NAVY VESSELS CHASED A
SUSPECTED NORTH KOREAN SPY  SHIP BACK ACROSS THE BORDER, ONE DAY 
BEFORE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S  STATE VISIT TO SEOUL.
SEOUL OFFICIALS SAY THE NORTH ROUTINELY USES SUBMARINES TO DROP 
OFF OR PICK UP SPIES ALONG THE SOUTH KOEAN COASTLINE.  (SIGNED)
NEB/ JV/GC/PLM
17-Dec-98 11:30 PM EST (0430 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.