DATE=6/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250402
TITLE=NORTH / SOUTH KOREA / STANDOFF (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: NAVY SHIPS FROM NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA ARE INVOLVED IN A
TENSE STANDOFF NEAR THEIR HEAVILY-ARMED BORDER. SOUTH KOREAN
PATROL BOATS WERE DISPATCHED ON WEDNESDAY AFTER THE NORTH SENT
SIX SHIPS INTO A BUFFER ZONE AT THE WESTERN SEA BORDER. OPPOSING
VESSELS HAVE NOT EXCHANGED GUNFIRE. JOHN LARKIN HAS MORE FROM
SEOUL.
TEXT: NORTH AND SOUTH KOREAN PATROL BOATS CAME SO CLOSE AT ONE
POINT DURING THE STANDOFF THAT TWO OPPOSING VESSELS ACTUALLY
COLLIDED. ONLY SLIGHT DAMAGE RESULTED, AND NO INJURIES.
THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN SOUTHERN SHIPS TRIED TO FORCE THE
NORTH KOREAN VESSELS OUT OF SOUTH KOREAN WATERS FOR THE SECOND
TIME IN TWO DAYS.
THE STANDOFF BEGAN WHEN NORTH KOREA'S SHIPS RE-ENTERED SOUTH
KOREAN WATERS EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING, ABOUT SIX HOURS AFTER
WITHDRAWING FROM THE AREA FOLLOWING THEIR FIRST INCURSION.
THE NORTH KOREAN SHIPS APPEARED TO BE ESCORTING MORE THAN A DOZEN
FISHING VESSELS OPERATING IN THE ZONE, WHICH IS A RICH
CRAB-FISHING GROUND CONTROLLED BY SOUTH KOREA. A DEFENSE
MINISTRY OFFICIAL SAID IT IS CURRENTLY PEAK SEASON FOR CRAB
FISHING IN THE YELLOW SEA.
WHILE NORTH KOREAN SHIPS HAVE ROUTINELY CREPT SOUTH OF THE
ONE-TO-FIVE MILE SEA BUFFER ZONE IN THE PAST, THE FACT THEY HAVE
REFUSED TO LEAVE THE AREA HAS ALARMED DEFENSE OFFICIALS.
THE INFILTRATION COMES TWO DAYS AFTER NORTH KOREA ACCUSED THE
SOUTH OF SENDING THREE WARSHIPS INTO ITS OWN WATERS, AND WARNED
OF RETALIATION.
ON WEDNESDAY, NORTH KOREAN STATE MEDIA BLAMED THE CONFRONTATION
ON SOUTH KOREA, SAYING SOUTHERN NAVY SHIPS HAD INTRUDED INTO
NORTH KOREAN WATERS. IT'S THE FIRST ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE TWO
NAVIES IN SEVERAL MONTHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JL/GC/FC/PLM
09-Jun-99 3:24 AM EDT (0724 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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