UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, AT SEA - APRIL 04: In this handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry, South Korean Navy's destroyer Yulgok Yi I (R) U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (C) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Umigiri, (L) sail in formation during a joint naval exercise in international waters off South Korea's southern island of Jeju on April 04, 2023, at an undisclosed location.
South Korean military officials confirmed on Sunday, April 16, that warning shots had been fired against a North Korean vessel that had breached the maritime boundary on Saturday, adding to the rising tensions caused by Pyongyang's recent missile launches.
Breached Sea Boundaries Prompted Warning Shots
Around 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 15, a North Korean patrol boat reportedly crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime barrier, despite warning shots and radio alerts from the South.
According to The New York Post, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) issued a statement on Sunday saying, "Our military maintains decisive battle posture while monitoring the enemy's movements in preparation for potential provocations regarding NLL violations by North Korean patrol boats."
Due to poor visibility, a South Korean patrol ship collided with a nearby Chinese fishing vessel during the operations, resulting in "minor contact" and minor casualties to the South Korean crew, as reported by the JCS.
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Recent Military Activities Raised Further Tensions
Notably, tensions were already high due to the North's increased military actions in recent weeks. This includes testing a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday, April 14, which analysts believe could be used to fire missiles with little advance notice.
Since the 1990s, Pyongyang has argued that the NLL should be located far further to the south than where it was originally established at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
In October of last year, the two Koreas exchanged warning shots in the western oceans, accusing one other of crossing the maritime boundary.
Since March, when the annual springtime exercises between South Korean and US troops began, Pyongyang has threatened military strikes in response, calling the drills a rehearsal for nuclear war.
Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea, has reportedly issued orders to make North Korea's war deterrent "more practical and offensive" in response to what Pyongyang claims are aggressive actions by the US and South Korea.
The US and South Korea claim that their military exercises against North Korea are defensive in nature.
Ties Between the US and South Korea
Saturday's incursion happened as North Korea's weapons were displayed. US-South Korean joint military drills to address the North Korean threat have escalated, too.
AP News reported that next week, 110 airplanes, including F-35 fighter jets, will participate in another large-scale joint exercise between South Korea and the US Seoul's Defense Ministry said the aircraft exercises, which will go through April 28, will improve operating capabilities and demonstrate the allies' united defense against North Korean threats.
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