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DATE=6/12/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250555
TITLE=NORTH KOREA / STANDOFF/ L-O
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
 INTRO:  NORTH KOREA HAS THREATENED TO ATTACK SOUTH KOREAN 
WARSHIPS IN DISPUTED WATERS, AS AN ARMED STANDOFF PASSES ITS 
FIFTH DAY. JOHN LARKIN REPORTS FROM SEOUL FOUR NORTH KOREAN 
PATROL BOATS RE-ENTERED SOUTH KOREAN WATERS SATURDAY, AFTER 
WITHDRAWING THE PREVIOUS EVENING.
TEXT -- SOUTH KOREA MASSED DESTROYERS, FRIGATES AND PATROL BOATS 
AND PUT ITS MILITARY ON HEIGHTENED ALERT AFTER THE NORTH KOREAN 
SHIPS WERE SPOTTED INSIDE A BUFFER ZONE.
THROUGH ITS OFFICIAL KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY, NORTH KOREA 
WARNED IT WILL LAUNCH WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS STRONG SELF-DEFENSE 
STRIKES, IF THE SOUTH KOREAN SHIPS DO NOT WITHDRAW.
SINCE TUESDAY, NORTH KOREAN NAVY SHIPS HAVE BEEN CROSSING THE 
DISPUTED BORDER INTO THE SOUTH KOREAN-CONTROLLED BUFFER ZONE, 
WHICH VARIES IN WIDTH FROM ONE TO 12 KILOMETERS.
THEY ARE ESCORTING FISHING VESSELS OPERATING WITHIN THE ZONE, 
WHICH IS A RICH CRAB-FISHING AREA.
FRIDAY, SOUTH KOREA TOOK ITS STRONGEST COUNTER-MEASURES YET -- 
SENDING IN SHIPS TO RAM FOUR NORTH KOREAN VESSELS BACK OVER THE 
BORDER.  BOTH SIDES TRAINED THEIR GUNS AT EACH OTHER DURING THE 
CONFRONTATION, BUT NO SHOTS WERE FIRED.
THE RETURN OF THE COMMUNIST SHIPS SATURDAY MORNING PROMPTED SOUTH
KOREA TO DEPLOY MORE SHIPS FURTHER NORTH, ACCORDING TO SEOUL'S 
SEMI-OFFICIAL YONHAP NEWS AGENCY.  A DEFENSE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN 
SAYS EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO RESOLVE THE SHOWDOWN 
PEACEFULLY.  HE WOULD NOT CONFIRM THE REINFORCEMENTS.
THE CONFRONTATION COMES LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE NORTH AND 
SOUTH KOREA MEET IN BEIJING FOR THEIR FIRST OFFICIAL TALKS IN 
MORE THAN ONE YEAR.
NORTH KOREA HAS NEVER RECOGNIZED THE SEA BORDER, WHICH WAS 
IMPOSED IN 1953 BY THE UNITED NATIONS COMMAND.  IT REGULARLY 
SENDS SHIPS INTO THE AREA, BUT -- IN THE PAST -- HAS WITHDRAWN 
THEM AFTER PROTESTS BY SOUTH KOREA.  (SIGNED)
NEB / WD / WD
12-Jun-99 3:39 AM EDT (0739 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.