South Korea Fires Warning Shots After North Korean Merchant Ship Crosses Maritime Border

Recent activities have included live-fire drills by South Korean marines near the border islands, which have heightened tensions along the maritime boundary.

KOREAN PENINSULA — The South Korean military fired warning shots at a North Korean merchant vessel that crossed the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea, at around 5 a.m. local time northwest of Baengnyeong Island.

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The vessel retreated following the warnings and shots, and no casualties or further escalations were reported. South Korean forces issued broadcasts before firing, ensuring the ship withdrew back north of the line. Monitoring continued to ensure no additional threats emerged.

This event fits into a pattern of maritime border disputes between the two Koreas, where the Northern Limit Line, established after the 1950-1953 Korean War, remains contested by North Korea. Both sides have engaged in similar confrontations over the years, often involving fishing or merchant vessels.

Recent activities have included live-fire drills by South Korean marines near the border islands, which have heightened tensions along the maritime boundary.