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North and South Korea Warships Exchange Fire
Friday, June 28, 2002
(11:19 PM ET) (03:19 GMT)
The Associated Press

This TV image shows part of a June 1999 clash between a South Korean naval vessel (L) and a North Korean navy ship (R) in the Yellow Sea. A North Korean torpedo boat was sunk and two other North Korean vessels seriously damaged in the battle.
Image Credit: l'Agence France-Presse (AFP).

SEOUL, South Korea -- AP
North and South Korean warships briefly exchanged gunfire near the western sea border Saturday but there were no immediate reports of damages or injuries, local media reported.

State KBS-TV said the gunbattle was brief and took place in the Yellow Sea off the central part of the Korean peninsula. Independent MBC-TV carried a similar report.

Lt. Yoon Won-joon, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said "yes" when asked if there were armed clashes between the two Korean navies. He declined to disclose details except to say that a formal announcement will be made later.

The clash followed a series of border incursions by North Korean navy ships into South Korean waters in the area in recent months. On Friday, two North Korean patrol boats briefly crossed the border in the 10th such violation this year.
(More: CNN Online News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

Dan