The Hindu : N. Korea confirms deaths in naval clash

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 06, 2002

International

International

N. Korea confirms deaths in naval clash

SEOUL July 5. North Korea said for the first time today that some of its sailors were killed in a naval battle last weekend with South Korea in which four South Korean sailors died.

The North's official Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), in a commentary repeating its accusations that the United States directed South Korea to attack first in Saturday's fire-fight, said there was a ``loss of human lives on both sides''.

``An unexpected exchange of fire between naval vessels of the North and the South occurred in the west sea of Korea on June 29 owing to the reckless armed provocation on the part of South Korean warships, causing a loss of human lives on both sides and a warship of the South side,'' KCNA said.

South Korea and its ally the United States say North Korean vessels provoked the battle, which injured 19 South Koreans. One sailor is listed as missing.South Korean naval sources have estimated the North suffered as many as 30 dead or wounded.

Seoul and Washington say North Korean vessels crossed a 50-year-old maritime border and fired first on South Korean vessels which had responded to the intrusion.

North Korea does not recognise the Northern Limit Line (NLL) adhered to by South Korea.

— Reuters

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