South Korean Military Fails to Detect North Korean Boat that Docked in Samcheok Harbor
This is concerning that a North Korean boat is able to pull right into the harbor at Samcheok and the crew able to get out, walk around, and ask to use phone with no authorities there to detain them:
The South Korean military failed to detect a North Korean boat that freely sailed in its waters for four days – even after its crew moored in an eastern harbor and asked to use a phone, the JoongAng Ilbo learned Wednesday.
The military also faced fire for an obviously false initial announcement about how the wooden boat and its four crews were discovered in Samcheok Harbor in Gangwon on Saturday. After questioning, two of the crew defected to the South, while the other two returned to the North through the border village of Panmunjom on Tuesday.
Joong Ang Ilbo
You can read more at the link, but also keep in mind that Samcheok is not a South Korean community adjacent to the DMZ. It is pretty far south from the maritime border between the two countries.
What a bunch of clowns.
One South Korean minister said, “We must review the patrol operation thoroughly, and those responsible will be held accountable.” Ya think? I’m sure heads will roll.
From personal experience, I am aware of how swarm-like nK fishing boats can be, especially when they are operating in the vicinity of the NLL on the West Coast or the MDL-X on the East Coast. It’s possible for one boat to avoid detection, especially in the foggy conditions.
This incident reminds me of how the nK moved the USS Pueblo from Wonsan harbor to Nampo and then Pyongyang totally undetected by South Korea, Japan, or the United States. They disguised it as a fishing trawler somehow and traveled mostly at night to avoid detection.
Bottom line: Shit happens sometimes.
The CO and Senior NCO of the unit(s) responsible should be temporarily assigned other duties like mopping barracks or the South Korean version of peeling potatoes. And then, after 30 days, restored to their command(s) after explaining how this will never happen again.
But that’ll never happen.
More excuses and apologies for the treasonous and lackadaisical attitude spread in the ROK military by commie moon. 4 days undetected in South Korean waters, undetected and unchallenged and then sallies into a South Korean port like it is fleet week in Samcheok harbor. There are no excuses for this!
Lucky they weren’t an invasion fleet or half of the country would be gone like in 1950.
J6, in 1950, the North Koreans had to follow Stalin’s play-calling…
Now they follow Moon’s. Well, perhaps that’s unfair. What I mean is, they have to boil the frog slowly.
Moon probably invited them!