Warships of two Koreas exchange fire

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/07/warships-of-two-koreas-exchange-fire

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Warships from the rival Koreas exchanged warning shots after a North Korean ship briefly violated the disputed western sea boundary, the South has announced.

The shots were fired into the sea and there were no reports of injuries or damage on either side, a defence official said.

Such exchanges are not uncommon at the sea boundary, the scene of several deadly maritime skirmishes between the Koreas in recent years. The latest incident happened three days after a group of high-profile North Korean officials made a surprise visit to South Korea and agreed to resume senior-level talks.

The South Korean president, Park Geun-hye, on Monday stressed the need to hold high-level talks on a regular basis, saying she hoped North Korea would show its sincerity about improving ties.

The South Korean official said the North Korean ship was in South Korea-controlled waters for about 10 minutes before retreating. He said a South Korean navy ship first broadcast a warning and then fired warning shots. The North Korean ship fired back, then the South Korean ship fired again.

North Korean navy ships and fishing boats frequently violate the sea boundary, drawn without the North’s consent by the American-led UN command at the end of the Korean war. The line cuts North Korea off from rich fishing waters.