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US warns over Koreas naval clash US warns over Koreas naval clash
(30 minutes later)
The White House has warned North Korea against any escalation of hostilities after a North Korean vessel clashed with a warship from the South. The White House has warned Pyongyang against any escalation of hostilities after a North Korean vessel clashed with a warship from the South.
The navy crews exchanged fire near a disputed maritime border between the two countries; each side accused the other of violating the sea boundary.The navy crews exchanged fire near a disputed maritime border between the two countries; each side accused the other of violating the sea boundary.
The two navies have engaged in deadly exchanges twice along their western sea border in the past decade.The two navies have engaged in deadly exchanges twice along their western sea border in the past decade.
The row comes days before US President Barack Obama is to visit Asia.The row comes days before US President Barack Obama is to visit Asia.
North Korea is expected to be high on the agenda for Mr Obama, who has decided to send a special envoy to Pyongyang for rare direct talks on the communist state's nuclear weapons programme, according to US officials.North Korea is expected to be high on the agenda for Mr Obama, who has decided to send a special envoy to Pyongyang for rare direct talks on the communist state's nuclear weapons programme, according to US officials.
'Grave armed provocation''Grave armed provocation'
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Tuesday: "I would say to the North Koreans that we hope that there will be no further actions in the Yellow Sea that could be seen as an escalation."White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Tuesday: "I would say to the North Koreans that we hope that there will be no further actions in the Yellow Sea that could be seen as an escalation."
ANALYSIS John Sudworth, BBC News, SeoulANALYSIS John Sudworth, BBC News, Seoul
Any military clash between North and South Korea will be regarded by governments in this region as extremely serious.Any military clash between North and South Korea will be regarded by governments in this region as extremely serious.
There are however a number of precedents, exchanges of fire between the two navies that have led to casualties on both sides but no further military escalation.There are however a number of precedents, exchanges of fire between the two navies that have led to casualties on both sides but no further military escalation.
The South, though, has accused the North of deliberately provoking these kinds of naval clashes to raise tension and increase its leverage in negotiations.The South, though, has accused the North of deliberately provoking these kinds of naval clashes to raise tension and increase its leverage in negotiations.
Multilateral disarmament talks have broken down, and the North is seeking bilateral talks with the United States, a forum analysts say it sees as more likely to win it the concessions it seeks.Multilateral disarmament talks have broken down, and the North is seeking bilateral talks with the United States, a forum analysts say it sees as more likely to win it the concessions it seeks.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had urged the North and South to resolve any disputes they have through dialogue, a UN spokesman said.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had urged the North and South to resolve any disputes they have through dialogue, a UN spokesman said.
In the North's version of events, a patrol boat was on a mission to confirm "an unidentified object" on the North's side of the border, and while it was sailing back, South Korean ships chased it and opened fire in a "grave armed provocation".In the North's version of events, a patrol boat was on a mission to confirm "an unidentified object" on the North's side of the border, and while it was sailing back, South Korean ships chased it and opened fire in a "grave armed provocation".
The North Korean vessel "lost no time to deal a prompt retaliatory blow at the provokers", the North's official news agency KCNA said.The North Korean vessel "lost no time to deal a prompt retaliatory blow at the provokers", the North's official news agency KCNA said.
"Much flurried by this, the group of warships of the South Korean forces hastily took to flight to the waters of their side.""Much flurried by this, the group of warships of the South Korean forces hastily took to flight to the waters of their side."
South Korean officials said none of their troops had been hurt, while the North's boat had been set ablaze before it sailed away.South Korean officials said none of their troops had been hurt, while the North's boat had been set ablaze before it sailed away.
"We are sternly protesting to North Korea and urging it to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents," South Korean Rear Adm Lee Ki-sik told reporters in Seoul."We are sternly protesting to North Korea and urging it to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents," South Korean Rear Adm Lee Ki-sik told reporters in Seoul.
Both sides demanded an apology.Both sides demanded an apology.
Disputed watersDisputed waters
In October, North Korea's navy accused South Korea of sending warships across the maritime border to stir tensions, and warned that further incursions could spark retaliations.In October, North Korea's navy accused South Korea of sending warships across the maritime border to stir tensions, and warned that further incursions could spark retaliations.
PREVIOUS CLASHES 1996: A North Korean submarine runs aground in South Korean waters1998: South Korea captures a North Korean mini-submarine in its waters1999: At least 17 North Korean sailors believed killed in naval fire fight2002: Four South Korean sailors and an estimated 30 North Koreans killed in a naval battlePREVIOUS CLASHES 1996: A North Korean submarine runs aground in South Korean waters1998: South Korea captures a North Korean mini-submarine in its waters1999: At least 17 North Korean sailors believed killed in naval fire fight2002: Four South Korean sailors and an estimated 30 North Koreans killed in a naval battle
The communist state's navy said that on one day alone, ships had crossed the boundary 10 times.The communist state's navy said that on one day alone, ships had crossed the boundary 10 times.
South Korea recognises the Northern Limit Line, drawn unilaterally by the US-led United Nations Command at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, which has never been accepted by North Korea.South Korea recognises the Northern Limit Line, drawn unilaterally by the US-led United Nations Command at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, which has never been accepted by North Korea.
The last two major deadly clashes in the disputed waters took place in 1999 and 2002 during battles that lasted less than half an hour.The last two major deadly clashes in the disputed waters took place in 1999 and 2002 during battles that lasted less than half an hour.
Both Koreas are part of the Six Party Talks process designed to end North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.Both Koreas are part of the Six Party Talks process designed to end North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.
Relations between the two thawed slightly in the 1970s, and then in 1991 after both signed a basic agreement with a goal of reunification.Relations between the two thawed slightly in the 1970s, and then in 1991 after both signed a basic agreement with a goal of reunification.
In October 2007 the countries' leaders pledged to seek talks to formally end the Korean War, but this year the tension heightened again and the deal stalled.In October 2007 the countries' leaders pledged to seek talks to formally end the Korean War, but this year the tension heightened again and the deal stalled.
North Korea has said South Korea's decision in May to join a US-led initiative to search ships for nuclear weapons caused it to abandon the 1953 truce that had ended the war.North Korea has said South Korea's decision in May to join a US-led initiative to search ships for nuclear weapons caused it to abandon the 1953 truce that had ended the war.