18th anniversary of Second Yeonpyeong Battle; the western sea border now
- 4 years ago
제2연평해전 18주기... 지금의 서해는?
18 years ago today, a naval battle broke out in the South Korean waters of the West Sea after a North Korean warship crossed the Northern Limit Line.
Kim Do-yeon visited the closest island to the scene of the battle and files this report.
On June 29th, 2002, at 10:25 AM, a naval battle between South and North Korea broke out around 3 miles south of the Northern Limit Line and 14 miles west of Yeonpyeong-do Island.
The North's naval ship attacked one of South's Patrol Killer Medium, or PKM ships, which tried to stop it from coming further into South Korean waters.
The North's ship retreated after a 25-minute firefight, and the South's ship later sank. Six South Korean sailors died in the incident and the North is believed to have suffered around 30 casualties.
A few years after the incident, it was named the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong.
Even though 18 years have passed, the area is still on high alert.
"The North placed surface-to-ship missiles in the area, threatening our ships. Even though South Korea's navy is far more advanced than North Korea's, the North's naval ships get enough support from their land-based forces."
On Yeonpyeong-do Island, people can visit and go aboard a retired PKM.
Visitors can see the ship's capability so that they know the island's citizens are in good hands.
At a high point on the island is a memorial to remember those who died in the battles here, protecting the island from the North's threats.
"While the rest of the country was celebrating South Korea’s successful run at the 2002 World Cup, these brave young souls sacrificed their lives to provide that freedom to do so. And the duty of protecting the country’s waters carries on to this day"
Kim Doyeon, Arirang News, Yeonpyeong-do Island
18 years ago today, a naval battle broke out in the South Korean waters of the West Sea after a North Korean warship crossed the Northern Limit Line.
Kim Do-yeon visited the closest island to the scene of the battle and files this report.
On June 29th, 2002, at 10:25 AM, a naval battle between South and North Korea broke out around 3 miles south of the Northern Limit Line and 14 miles west of Yeonpyeong-do Island.
The North's naval ship attacked one of South's Patrol Killer Medium, or PKM ships, which tried to stop it from coming further into South Korean waters.
The North's ship retreated after a 25-minute firefight, and the South's ship later sank. Six South Korean sailors died in the incident and the North is believed to have suffered around 30 casualties.
A few years after the incident, it was named the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong.
Even though 18 years have passed, the area is still on high alert.
"The North placed surface-to-ship missiles in the area, threatening our ships. Even though South Korea's navy is far more advanced than North Korea's, the North's naval ships get enough support from their land-based forces."
On Yeonpyeong-do Island, people can visit and go aboard a retired PKM.
Visitors can see the ship's capability so that they know the island's citizens are in good hands.
At a high point on the island is a memorial to remember those who died in the battles here, protecting the island from the North's threats.
"While the rest of the country was celebrating South Korea’s successful run at the 2002 World Cup, these brave young souls sacrificed their lives to provide that freedom to do so. And the duty of protecting the country’s waters carries on to this day"
Kim Doyeon, Arirang News, Yeonpyeong-do Island