코리아타임즈 Mysterious Incident in East Sea

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Mysterious Incident in East Sea       Possible Intrusion of Northern Submarines Prompts Speculation

The appearance of mysterious objects in the East Sea on Sunday is belatedly drawing concern, as they are suspected of being North Korean submarines intruding into our sovereign waters. The JoongAng Ilbo, a mass-circulation local paper, triggered the controversy after revealing their identity in its Thursday edition. The paper reported that the government was informed of the approach of Northern submarines by U.S. intelligence. After spotting the intruders, the South’s Navy drove them away with a volley of depth charges. However, the Ministry of Defense immediately denied the report, warning that it would take punitive action against the daily unless it corrected the story. When the incident occurred, the ministry said that naval operations to locate North Korean submarines off the east coast were conducted, but no vessels were found. In rejecting the report, the ministry conceded that depth charges had been used in the area, saying that it was standard action whenever ``submarine’’ operations were launched. It also said that U.S. intelligence concerning Northern submarines should always be treated with caution. Regardless of the ministry’s prompt denial, there is speculation that North Korean submarines might have infiltrated into our waters either for spying operations or for testing the South’s military strength and preparedness. Suspicions are further fueled by four missing crewmen from a small naval ship that the ministry said was taking part in a drill in the East Sea on Tuesday. Only one crewman was saved. The ministry said that the vessel went aground because of inclement weather and engine problems. But the general public is not convinced by the ministry’s explanations, as fishing vessels in the East Sea on the same day reportedly did not experience weather problems and returned safely to port. Some are even suggesting the four missing personnel might have been killed during a naval operation against the intruders. No matter what the truth is behind the incident, it has once again brought to light the South’s vulnerability to threats from the Northern regime. Northern naval vessels have entered our waters in the West Sea on many occasions this year, deepening the confrontation between the government and the opposition camp over the interpretation of their actions. The incident is also expected to fuel the conflict between conservatives and progressives over the issue of the anti-communist law. The ruling Uri Party triggered the row with its move to abolish the security law during the current regular session of the National Assembly, which lasts until the middle of December. At this time, with national unity seriously disrupted, the government should endeavor to keep security intact.

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thanks Atom! have a good day^^