Posted on 11/11/2009 11:28:13 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
(LEAD) N. Korean boat tugged to port after skirmish with S. Korean Navy
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- The North Korean patrol boat that retreated in flames after a skirmish with the South Korean Navy earlier this week was tugged on its last stretch toward port, an official here said Thursday.
The boat apparently suffered damage when it exchanged gunfire Tuesday with South Korean naval vessels near the Northern Limit Line that separates the Koreas in the western waters off their peninsula.
No South Korean sailors were killed, but North Korea reportedly suffered one death and three sailors wounded. The South Korean defense official who declined to be named said the North Korean boat managed to near its port on its own after returning across the border but was tugged on the final stretch.
"Another boat helped it reach the port, but the vessel was in good enough shape to retreat on its own for most of the journey home," the official said.
"It then appears to have suffered a serious malfunction with navigation, sending a call for help after nearly reaching Wollae port", from where it had departed, he said.
The navies of the Koreas clashed previously near the border unrecognized by the North in 1999 and 2002. Six South Koreans were killed while the North is estimated to have lost dozens in the skirmishes.
The North Korean boat fired about 50 rounds while the South Korean side shot hundreds of rounds in the latest skirmish, finishing the battle in just minutes, according to officials here.
North Korea disputes Seoul's claim that the South Korean forces prevailed, arguing that a group of South Korean warships intruded upon its waters but were dealt a blow before fleeing back south.
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Navy fired nearly 5,000 rounds during a two-minute skirmish with a North Korean patrol boat earlier this week off the west coast, a defense official said Thursday.
The North Korean boat fired about 50 rounds, 15 of which landed on one of the South Korean vessels, other officials had said.
About 4,700 rounds were fired from 20mm Vulcans on four South Korean patrol boats while about 250 came from their 40mm guns, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity citing policy.
The skirmish near the Northern Limit Line ended with no South Korean casualties, but officials here said the North Korean boat fled in flames and was tugged to port on its final stretch home.
North Korea reportedly suffered one death with three wounded in the skirmish in the area where clashes turned deadly in 1999 and 2002.
Ping!
Obama is going to apologize.
Bush’s fault.
Obviously, they ran out of ammo.
yitbos
What a dumb headline.
They used the correct amount of force to convince the NK to retreat back across their border.
The NK were probably using a slower machine gun, while the SK were using modern weapons. Having a Vulcan spit some lead out rapid fire convinced the NK to duck, so they couldn't shoot.
HA HA
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