|
Despite the navy's warning shots Sunday, four more North Korean fishing boats crossed the Northern Limit Line near Yeonpyeong Island in the West Sea on Monday at 5:40 a.m. The boats returned to their side of the maritime border after 26 minutes. The latest incident means that excluding May 29, North Korean fishing boats have crossed the NLL every day since May 26.
An official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the fishing boats were at work 6.4 miles northwest of Yeongpyeong Island, but returned to their side when the South Korean Navy mobilized two high-speed vessels and one patrol boat. He also said that North Korean patrol ships did not take any unusual actions.
The official said that it was highly possible that the series of violations were purely due to an attempt by the North to increase its crab yield to earn hard currency. The navy is closely analyzing the matter. Prior to the latest incident, the navy had sent a written protest to the North.
(Yoo Yong-won, kysu@chosun.com )
|
