Both South Korean and North Korean troops have been put on high alert after a naval skirmish that occurred off the west coast, a place of frequent disputes possibly due to it being a rich crabbing area, that left a North Korean naval ship almost destroyed. This was the first such engagement between the Koreas in seven years. Both Koreas blame each other for the conflict.
Reports by South Korea claimed that a North Korean patrol boat crossed the border and the South Korean naval ship fired several warning shots, which the North Korean boat responded to by open firing, starting the conflict.
The North Korean military claims that its ship was attacked by a South Korean ship after their ship was returning from checking "an unidentified object."
""It was an intentional provocation by North Korea to draw attention ahead of Obama's trip," said Shin Yul"
"Some analysts said the clash could have been accidental. "
Personally, I believe that North Korea is at fault here, but that is probably because I am biased against North Korea. North Korea has kidnapped US reporters before and tested nuclear weapons even after being warned to stop testing them, so I would not find it surprising if North Korea is trying to provoke the United States once again.
There is an argument that the conflict was merely an accident due to the disputed border of the rich crab fishing area. However, I believe that North Korea is simply using this to keep other nations from suspecting them of anything.
-Yuzo Yanagitsuru
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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4 comments:
i agree with your opinion that north korea is at fault here. their ships should have recognized the warning shots and backed down if their intentions were truly innocent. firing back seems like mere provocation. and as you stated, north korea does have a history of getting into these kinds of disputes, so why should we expect them to stop now?
I'd like to point out two things:
1. At least as far as you said, North Korea didn't specify where exactly that unidentified object was, or what it turned out to be.
2. You don't mention how much if at all the South Korean ship was damaged - if the North Korean ship fired first, I would think the South Korean ship would have obtained at least some damage.
-Ilan Seid-Green
"1. At least as far as you said, North Korea didn't specify where exactly that unidentified object was, or what it turned out to be."
There was nothing in the article about North Korea reporting what the unidentified object was.
"2. You don't mention how much if at all the South Korean ship was damaged - if the North Korean ship fired first, I would think the South Korean ship would have obtained at least some damage."
"The South Korean ship was lightly damaged and there were no South Korean casualties, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
But Ilan, you do bring up a good point. It would be nice if some more articles on this situation would come up to help clarify what actually happened.
-Yuzo Yanagitsuru
"Both South Korean and North Korean troops have been put on high alert after a naval skirmish that occurred off the west coast, a place of frequent disputes possibly due to it being a rich crabbing area, that left a North Korean naval ship almost destroyed."
"The South Korean ship was lightly damaged and there were no South Korean casualties, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
Well, that just goes to show that either the South Koreans have better ships, better aim, or better training...
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