North Korean ship crosses the NLL

On Saturday April 15, around 11 A.M, a North Korean patrol boat crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL). Located in the Yellow Sea, this border has been established and disputed since the Korean War (1950-1953).

In response, South Korea fired warning shots from the Republic of Korea‘s ship. South Korean authorities also claim that North Korea has not responded to South Korean calls on inter-Korean cross-border phone lines for more than a week.

During the operation, the South Korean ship collided with a Chinese ship due to poor visibility. There were no serious consequences.

Pyongyang has stepped up its military activities in recent weeks. On April 14, a new intercontinental missile was indeed tested.

This rise in tensions comes as a trilateral maritime exercise is being held on April 17 by Japan, the United States and South Korea. The purpose of the exercise is to counter North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal.