Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

At about 9:30 a.m., June 15, North Korea fired upon the South’s vessels. Republic of Korea navy vessels returned fire and sunk one North Korean boat and damaged others.

At 10 a.m., June 15 and again June 22, the United Nations Command met with North Korean People’s Army representatives at Panmunjom, and recommended that both sides withdraw their naval forces to their respective sides of the NLL to reduce tensions in this area. The fact that the North met with the UN Command was viewed as a positive step by the Command.

During the first ninety-minute meeting, UN Command generals recommended that both sides withdraw their naval forces to their respective sides of Northern Limit Line. The Command expressed concern that continued naval intrusions could further escalate tension in the region. The UN Command stressed to the North Korean delegates that the Northern Limit Line has existed for many decades and both South and North Korea have acknowledged that a practical separation line exists in the waters off the east and west coasts of the Korean peninsula.

Measures were presented to the North’s delegates to reduce the tension and the UN Command urged immediate North Korean cooperation. Additionally, the UN Command recommended that the communications channels remain open at Panmunjom while attempts are made to resolve this situation.

Although the north Korean Peoples Army showed its continued support in principle for the Korean Armistice Agreement, the two sides were unable to reach agreement on the issue of reducing tensions in the West Sea. At the recommendation of the UNC, the meeting was recessed while the North Korean side conferred with its leadership on the UNC proposed tension reduction measures.

"The talks were conducted in a business-like manner, with each side gaining an increased understanding of the other’s views," said Col. Carl Kropf, UN Command spokesman. "The primary objective of the meeting was to seek a resolution to the situation off Korea’s West Coast and reduce tension in that area."

Representing the UNC were Maj. Gen. Michael M. Dunn, U.S. Air Force; Brig. Gen. Keum, Ki Yeun, Republic of Korea Air Force; Brig. Gen. John Baker, Commonwealth Member of the Military Armistice Commission; and Colonel Francois Torres, French Army liaison officer. The KPA were represented by Lt. Gen. Li, Chan Bok, Maj. Gen. Cho, Dong Hyon, and Senior Colonel Pak, Rim Su.