Korean maritime border incidents
 | This article appears to be slanted towards recent events. (November 2010) |
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Northern Limit Line. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2010. |
| Crab wars | |||||||
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| Part of the Korean War | |||||||
 Skirmishes take place along the Northern Limit Line, shown in red separating North and South Korea. | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Republic of Korea Navy |
 Korean People's Navy | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
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As of March 2010: 52 killed 27 wounded 1 corvette sunk 1 patrol boat sunk 1 corvette damaged 2 patrol boats damaged |
As of March 2010: ~53 killed ~95 wounded 1 torpedo boat sunk 1 gunboat damaged 6 patrol boats damaged | ||||||
The Crab wars refer to the naval incidents that have taken place between North and South Korea in the Yellow Sea.[1] The primary cause of these skirmishes is the rich crab-fishing waters in the area of the Northern Limit Line.[improper synthesis?] North Korea does not recognize this boundary, setting the stage for confrontation. The most notable clashes were in June 1999, June 2002, November 2009, March 2010, and November 2010.
1999 incident
On 15 June 1999, North Korean torpedo boats and two patrol boats crossed into the disputed waters, escorting a group of fishing boats. High-speed South Korean patrol boats approached the vessels, attempting to ram and repel them. The North Koreans then opened fire, which the South Koreans returned.[2]
The battle resulted in the loss of a North Korean torpedo boat, five patrol boats were damaged, 30 sailors killed and 70 wounded. One South Korean patrol craft was lightly damaged along with a corvette.[2] As this was done against the backdrop of high level talks between the Koreas in Beijing, it generated considerable tension. However, neither side escalated, and the talks continued.
The United States and China both expressed concern regarding the clash and both expressed hope of a diplomatic solution. Furthermore, it drew attention to the widening gap in military capabilities between the two Koreas and humiliated the North, which styles itself a military power.[3]
2002 incident
On the morning of 29 June 2002, two North Korean (DPRK) patrol boats crossed the NLL near Yeonpyeong island. When approached by two South Korean (ROK) boats, they opened fire, which was returned. After a half-hour exchange, the DPRK boats withdrew to their side of the boundary line; one was seen to be on fire and badly damaged. One ROK boat was also badly damaged, sinking later whilst under tow back to port. Four ROK sailors were killed, and 18 wounded; DPRK casualties are unknown.
2004 incident
On 1 November 2004 three North Korean vessels crossed the NLL. They were challenged by South Korean patrol boats, but did not respond. The ROK vessels opened fire and the DPRK boats withdrew without returning fire. No casualties were reported.
2009 incident
On 10 November 2009, a North Korean gunboat entered South Korean waters off Daecheong Island in the Yellow Sea. The craft was intercepted by a corvette and four patrol boats of the South Korean Navy and a battle began. The North Korean vessel was heavily damaged by South Korean fire and fled back into friendly waters. One South Korean patrol boat was slightly damaged. One North Korean was killed and three others were wounded, the South Koreans sustained no casualties.
March 2010 incident
On 26 March 2010, the Cheonan, a South Korean naval vessel, was sunk by an explosion near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea. A rescue operation recovered 58 survivors, but 46 sailors were lost. On May 20, 2010, a South Korean led international investigation group concluded that the sinking of the warship was in fact the result of a North Korean torpedo attack.[4][5] North Korea denied involvement.[6] The United Nations Security Council made a Presidential Statement condemning the attack but without identifying the attacker.[7]
November 2010 incident
On Tuesday November 23rd, South Korean warships executed an artillery exercise near the Yellow Sea boundary between the two nations. North Korean artillery positions began shelling the South Korean Island of Yeonpyeong soon after the start of the South Korean exercise and South Korean forces responded by shelling the North Korean artillery positions and scrambling warplanes. North Korean media claimed that the South Koreans fired shells into North Korean waters, but South Korean sources denied the claim and stated they were not in North Korean waters. Two South Korean civilians were killed.
References
- ^ Glosserman, Brad, "Crab wars: Calming the waters in the Yellow Sea", Asia Times On Line June 14, 2003
- ^ a b CNN - Seoul: Engagement to continue despite deadly Korean naval battle - June 15, 1999
- ^ Northern Limit Line (NLL) West Sea Naval Engagements
- ^ Foster, Peter; Moore, Malcolm (20 May 2010). "North Korea condemned by world powers over torpedo attack". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ Park In-kook (4 June 2010), "Letter dated 4 June 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council" (PDF), United Nations Security Council, S/2010/281, retrieved 11 July 2010
- ^ "Press Conference on Situation in Korean Peninsula: DPRK Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sin Son Ho". Department of Public Information. United Nations. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
- ^ "Presidential Statement: Attack on Republic of Korea Naval Ship 'Cheonan'". United Nations Security Council. United Nations. 9 July 2010. S/PRST/2010/13. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
