North Korea declares disputed water 'firing zone'

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea has declared waters along its disputed sea border with South Korea a "firing zone."

By: Associated Press | WNCT
Published: December 21, 2009

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea has declared waters along its disputed sea border with South Korea a "firing zone."
The area was the scene of a deadly clash last month, and Pyongyang is warning ships from the South to stay away from it. North Korea's naval command is accusing Seoul of "reckless military provocations," saying it's violating its waters and staging military drills in the area.
North Korea does not recognize the sea border. It was drawn unilaterally by the United Nations at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. The communist regime argues it should be redrawn farther south.
North Korea has declared the area a "peacetime naval firing zone of coastal and island artillery units."
The dispute has led to deadly skirmishes in 1999, 2002 and last month, when ships from the two sides exchanged fire in the disputed waters. South Korea says one North Korean sailor was killed and three others wounded, according to the South.