Posted on 11/09/2009 10:14:37 PM PST by bruinbirdman
North and South Korean warships have been involved in an exchange of fire along a disputed sea border area off the west coast of the Korean Peninsular, according to South Korean military officials.
The clash comes at time when relations between the divided nations appeared to be thawing following several months of increased tensions caused by North Korea's decision to test a second nuclear device earlier this year.
Initial reports said that there were no casualties from the exchange, which took place after a South Korean warship fired shots across the bow of a North Korean naval vessel that had crossed the disputed border, according to the Yonhap news agency in Seoul.
The North Korean vessel then returned fire according to an unidentified government source in South Korea, who declined to provide further details.
"A North Korean patrol ship crossed the Northern Limit Line and did not cease when we fired warning shots," the defence source added.
North and South Korean navies fought deadly skirmishes along the western sea border in the Yellow Sea in 1999 and 2002.
Last month the North's navy accused South Korea of sending warships across the border to stir tensions, warning that the "reckless military provocations" could trigger armed clashes.
The incident comes as the US President Barack Obama prepares to begin a five-day visit to Asia during which the issue of North Korea's nuclear disarmament is expected to be among leading item on the agenda.
North Korea has said it is prepared to return to stalled Six Party talks on its nuclear disarmament, but is seeking direct talks with the US as a pre-condition to rejoining talks.
However in recent days Pyongyang announced it had produced more weapons-grade plutonium, in a move which analysts said was typical of the cat-and-mouse diplomacy that the North
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
They are just poking each other with a stick to see who flinches first. It has been the same old story for 60 years.
How quaint...on us they used axes.
I am told that the South Koreans are ready to go to total mobilization within 24 hours, and fully evacuate the capitol which would be the primary first strike target.
We would know if a war was coming if there was a massive troop by the North Koreans. There is no evidence of a massive buildup of troops.
or equipment.
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