North Korea admitted on Thursday that it captured a South Korean fishing boat in early August, because the vessel had crossed into the North’s exclusive economic zone.
The 41-ton boat was seized with its crew, including four South Korean and three Chinese fishermen, off the east coast of the East Sea of Korea.
The seizure has added to the mounting tensions between the two countries, which have been steadily deteriorating since a South Korean warship was sank by a torpedo, killing 46 sailors. Investigators concluded that the attack came from a North Korean ship, but the North denies the accusation.
The United States and South Korea launched a second round of joint military drills this week amid Pyongyang’s threats of a strong response to the exercises.
The Pentagon said that they would cooperate with their South Korean ally to conduct an anti-submarine exercise in international waters west of the Asian peninsula in the next month.
These military activities are specifically for the benefit of showing North America’s intentions.
“This exercise certainly sends a clear message to North Korea that the U.S. is committed to the defense of the Republic of South Korea,” Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters on Wednesday.
Both Koreas have been technically in a state of war since the Korean War ended with a cease-fire in 1953.
The 41-ton boat was seized with its crew, including four South Korean and three Chinese fishermen, off the east coast of the East Sea of Korea.
The seizure has added to the mounting tensions between the two countries, which have been steadily deteriorating since a South Korean warship was sank by a torpedo, killing 46 sailors. Investigators concluded that the attack came from a North Korean ship, but the North denies the accusation.
The United States and South Korea launched a second round of joint military drills this week amid Pyongyang’s threats of a strong response to the exercises.
The Pentagon said that they would cooperate with their South Korean ally to conduct an anti-submarine exercise in international waters west of the Asian peninsula in the next month.
These military activities are specifically for the benefit of showing North America’s intentions.
“This exercise certainly sends a clear message to North Korea that the U.S. is committed to the defense of the Republic of South Korea,” Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters on Wednesday.
Both Koreas have been technically in a state of war since the Korean War ended with a cease-fire in 1953.
