S. Korea used 100 times more firepower than N. Korea in skirmish: official

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By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Navy used nearly 100 times more
firepower than its North Korean counterpart when they engaged briefly off the
west coast of the divided Korean Peninsula earlier this week, a defense official
here said Thursday.
About 4,700 rounds were fired from 20-millimeter Vulcans on four South Korean
patrol boats while about 250 came from their 40mm guns, the official said,
speaking on condition of anonymity citing policy.
"That would be nearly 5,000 from the South Korean ships operating in the area,"
he said.
The North Korean patrol boat, which fled in flames after crossing the maritime
border and attacking a South Korean naval vessel, had fired 50 rounds, 15 of
which hit the target, officials here said.
South Korea suffered no casualties in the two-minute battle that came after
bloody skirmishes erupted in the area in 1999 and 2002. South Korean defense
officials, including Defense Minister Kim Tae-young, have declined to confirm
media reports that one North Korean sailor was killed while three others were
wounded.
North Korea claimed hours after the skirmish that it dealt a blow to a group of
South Korean warships that had violated the border and attacked its ship while
returning after routine patrol.
In a commentary carried in its official media, the North said Thursday the South
will "pay dearly" for intruding into its territorial waters and making a "grave
armed provocation."
South Korea suffered no casualties in 1999 when the North Korean Navy crossed the
Norther Limit Line (NLL), a maritime border that Pyongyang refuses to honor
because it was drawn by a U.S. commander siding with South Korea at the end of
the 1950-53 Korean War.
In 2002, six South Korean sailors were killed in an attack that officials here
said appeared to be an act of retaliation. Dozens of North Korean sailors are
estimated to have been killed in both skirmishes.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has expressed concern over a possible
reprisal by the North Korean Navy, prompting the Joint Chiefs of Staff to beef up
its guard along the NLL.
South Korea operates automatic naval guns compared to manual ones used by the
North Korean navy. One 40mm gun can fire up to 600 rounds per minute while a 20mm
Vulcan can reel off 3,000.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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