North demands apology after Koreas naval skirmish

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea is demanding an apology after an exchange of naval fire between the regime and South Korea. It's the first such clash in seven years.

South Korean military officials say the exchange happened along a disputed western sea border and the North Korea ship suffered heavy damage before retreating. There were no reported casualties.

A South Korean official is calling it a "regrettable incident" and urging the North to "prevent the recurrence of similar incidents."

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says the navy fired warning shots at a North Korean patrol boat that had crossed the disputed border. The North Korean boat responded by opening fire and the South's ship returned fire, before the North's ship retreated.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency, it was the South's ship that crossed the border.

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<<CUT …309 (11/09/09)>> 00:15 "was a clash"

Kelly Olsen

AP correspondent Kelly Olsen reports the South and North Korean naval ships have exchanged fire off the west coast.

<<CUT …310 (11/09/09)>> 00:15 "South Korean vessel"

Kelly Olsen

AP correspondent Kelly Olsen reports a South Korean news agency reports a South Korean navy ship fired first.

<<APPHOTO LJM108 (11/10/09)>>

: A North Korean soldier, right, stands guard as a South Korean soldier looks at the Truce Village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas since the Korean War, north of Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. Navy ships of the two Koreas exchanged fire Tuesday along their disputed western sea border, South Korean military officers said.

<<APPHOTO LJM112 (11/10/09)>>

: Tourists take a souvenir picture in front of letters of DMZ, or Demilitarized Zone, near the truce village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas since the Korean War, north of Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. Navy ships of the two Koreas exchanged fire Tuesday along their disputed western sea border, South Korean military officers said.