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N. Korea: Fears of Naval Clash Growing
Chosun Ilbo ^ | 02/16/09

Posted on 02/15/2009 8:44:44 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster

Fears of Naval Clash Growing

There are growing fears that the two Koreas could clash again near the Northern Limit Line, the de-facto border in the West Sea which the North refuses to recognize.

As a result of a surprise attack by the North Korean Navy in 2002, six South Korean sailors were killed and the patrol boat Chamsuri 357 went down, creating deep resentment in the South Korean Navy. There were about 30 North Korean casualties in the clash. North Korea has since reinforced equipment, including installing new guns on ships, and intensified exercises.

During the first Yeonpyeong Sea Battle in 1999 and the second in 2002, North Korean patrol boats fought against heavy odds because of the low accuracy of their old-fashioned guns. But the new guns are said to be more accurate, and some are now covered.

A South Korean military source said North Korea’s surprise attack in 2002 succeeded, “but they suffered more casualties than us. They may want to wipe out the stain of that defeat."

Since the second Yeongpyeong Sea Battle, the South Korean Navy has also continued to enhance combat capabilities, including deploying new-type vessels. If the North should provoke the South in the area near the NLL again, South Korean military authorities, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Navy, plan to get the better of the North Korean ships in the initial stage of a battle by mobilizing ground, naval and air force capabilities.

A South Korean official said, "If two Koreas' navies clash again, the situation could escalate. If the North should provoke us, we'll punish them, but we’ll have to do our best to prevent such a clash."

(englishnews@chosun.com)

url: http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200902/200902160020.html


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: escalation; navalclash; nkorea; yellowsea
According to local S. Korean media, the government gave local navy commanders a free hand.

Which basically means, "You are free to engage. Make us proud."

1 posted on 02/15/2009 8:44:44 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster; PAR35; AndyJackson; Thane_Banquo; nicksaunt; MadLibDisease; happygrl; ...

Ping!


2 posted on 02/15/2009 8:45:08 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster (kim jong-il, chia head, ppogri, In Grim Reaper we trust)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

I wonder if the south has a strategy for killing the artillery of the north.


3 posted on 02/15/2009 8:48:16 PM PST by dr_who
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To: dr_who

If they don’t, they’re stupid.


4 posted on 02/15/2009 9:00:24 PM PST by mamelukesabre
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Time end to the Korean War once and for all. South Korea and Japan need to send a message to the incoming clown-in-chief.


5 posted on 02/15/2009 9:51:39 PM PST by acliffhang3r
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To: dr_who

Yes, but the strategy is one that Seoul has to absorb a lot of rounds.

If I recall, North Korea has about 17 times the Arty we and the South has.

I only fought that battle at War-fighters like 15 times. It’s an Artillery centric battle and the World Class OPFOR usually got the better of us.

Although I don’t believe the North would fare as well as the OPFOR, it still wouldn’t be pretty.


6 posted on 02/15/2009 10:37:20 PM PST by occamrzr06
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To: TigerLikesRooster
"You are free to engage. Make us proud."

"If you lose, it is your defeat, and we will all bare the brunt of the humiliation"

7 posted on 02/15/2009 10:56:36 PM PST by BBell
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Is NK looking for an American response? As in please pay attention to us and give us a deal, like in the Clinton days.


8 posted on 02/16/2009 9:17:27 PM PST by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
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