North Korea may start next naval crisis

Things are heating up around North Korea.  Not only has the most recent nuclear test raised the eyebrows of many around the world, but so has North Korea’s reaction to the proposed interdiction of North Korean ships to counter nuclear proliferation under the U.S. led Proliferation Security Initiative.

North Korea intensified its threats against South Korea and the United States on Wednesday with warnings of a “powerful military strike” if any North Korean ships were stopped or searched as part of an American-led operation to intercept vessels suspected of carrying unconventional weapons.

In addition, North Korea went a step further and declared that it no longer considered the Korean War armistice valid due to South Korea’s support of the Proliferation Security Initiative.

Things are serious enough to scare off Chinese fisherman who normally fish in the Northern Limit Line (NLL).

Chinese fishing vessels have begun retreating from NLL (northern limit line) waters since yesterday. We are working to find out if this is based on North Korea’s request,” Yonhap news agency quoted an unnamed South Korean army source as saying.

It is interesting to note that in this case, another potential naval crisis will center around merchant ships, and not necessarily formal warships from an organized Navy.  This may force the U.S. Navy and other foreign naval powers to deal with two troubling and crucial maritime issues, piracy and now nuclear proliferation aboard ships emanating from North Korea.

The UN and foreign naval powers must now re-examine how potential at-sea interdiction may occur, and what legal authority naval authorities would apply in boarding or stopping a merchant ship flagged under the North Korean flag, or suspected of transporting nuclear weapons or material.  As with Gulf of Aden piracy jurisdictional battles, this will likely follow the same confusing and convoluted process that may ultimately prevent legal boardings and inspections of suspect vessels at sea.  We will follow this issue closely in the coming days.

Read further

National Post – UN studies parameters for boarding North Korean ships

YaleGlobal – Preempting North Korean Threat in the Sea

Asiaone – Surge in boardings of NKorean ships unlikely

Chosun.com – Article on old Russian Krivak Frigate found in N. Korea (2007)