In a significant escalation of maritime tensions, South Korea fired warning shots at a North Korean commercial vessel on Friday. The vessel had crossed the disputed maritime border off the Korean peninsula's west coast, prompting the warning shots and subsequent retreat of the vessel, according to the South's military.
The incursion occurred early Friday with South Korean forces issuing verbal warnings in accordance with standard protocol. This tense encounter took place in waters near the Northern Limit Line, a border established after the 1950-53 Korean War, which has been a flashpoint for deadly naval clashes in the past.
The Northern Limit Line remains a contentious point, as North Korea does not recognize it as a legitimate border. These developments underscore the ongoing volatilit