North Korean ship retreats after South Korea’s response

A North Korean merchant ship temporarily crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border between North and South Korea, in the Yellow Sea. The South Korean navy fired warning shots after the incident early Friday (September 26), causing the ship to quickly turn north.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North Korean ship entered the South Korean border island of Bengnyeong, came within about 5 kilometers, and remained in South Korean waters for about an hour.

The South Korean navy initially issued multiple warnings, but the ship crossed the border. Later, a warship fired dozens of warning shots and shells. The North Korean ship then headed west and returned north of the border. A South Korean navy convoy ship weighing about 2,800 tons was in the area at the time.

The joint force said that no unusual activity by the North Korean military was observed in connection with the incident. An official said, “We are always ready and will respond firmly to any situation to protect the NLL.”

This is the first such border violation in nearly three years. Previously, in October 2022, a North Korean ship entered 3.3 kilometers south, but the North Korean ship turned back after firing warning shots.