In the 1990s, South Korean fishermen enjoyed a relatively peaceful life, with the fishing industry thriving since the 1950s. One of the most popular catches was the belt fish, and the main challenge they faced was disputes with Chinese authorities over fishing rights. The South Korean government had recently introduced measures to make the fishing industry more efficient, leading to the removal of many older fishing vessels.
However, in the summer of 1998, something extraordinary happened near the South Korean port of Sokcho. A commercial fishing trawler crew made an unexpected catch: a 110-ton North Korean submarine. This submarine had crossed the maritime border and got caught in the trawler’s fishing nets, forcing it to surface.
The fishermen watched as the submarine crew cut away the netting and attempted to head north. Unfortunately for them, the submarine’s engine stalled, leaving it stranded on the surface. The fishermen quickly reported the incident to the authorities, who sent anti-submarine helicopters to locate the vessel. Soon, South Korean navy ships surrounded the submarine and tried to communicate with it using radio, loudspeakers, and even by tapping on the hull.
Unable to board the submarine at sea, the navy attached it to a combat corvette with a long rope and towed it to the port of Tonghe.
Interestingly, just two years earlier, the South Korean navy had captured another North Korean submarine that had run aground during a spying mission. This submarine is now displayed publicly in South Korea.
As the newly captured submarine was being towed to the naval base at Tonghe, it mysteriously sank in 100 feet of water, taking its crew with it. It was unclear whether this was due to mechanical failure or if the crew had deliberately sunk their own vessel. North Korea later claimed it was lost in a training accident.
Two days later, the South Korean navy salvaged the submarine and made a grim discovery. Inside were nine bodies: four North Korean special forces operatives and five submariners. The special forces members had apparently committed suicide after executing the sailors to prevent them from being captured and revealing secrets. North Korean military orders dictate that personnel should kill themselves rather than be captured.
The submarine’s logbook revealed it had infiltrated South Korean waters multiple times, likely on espionage missions. The crew’s belongings included weapons, South Korean drinks, and a 1995 magazine issue.
The bodies were buried in a cemetery for North Korean and Chinese soldiers, as North Korea refused to accept them, claiming sovereignty over all of Korea.
Over the following decade, several maritime incidents occurred between the two Koreas. The most serious was on March 26, 2010, when a South Korean warship was sunk by a torpedo near the maritime border, killing 46 crew members and injuring 58. A diver also died during the rescue mission.
Remains of the torpedo were identified as North Korean. It was a type that explodes near its target, causing significant damage. An inquiry concluded that a North Korean submarine was responsible, a view supported by international experts, though denied by North Korea and China.
Today, North Korea’s navy is estimated to have 70 to 80 diesel submarines, many of which are older Soviet designs. These submarines primarily fire torpedoes or lay mines. North Korea is also developing submarine-launched nuclear missiles and more advanced attack submarines.
In response, South Korea has invested heavily in anti-submarine warfare, including new guided missile frigates with advanced technology for detecting submarines and torpedoes.
Research the concept of maritime borders and their significance in international relations. Create a presentation that explains how maritime borders are established and discuss any current disputes around the world. Consider the implications of these borders on fishing rights and national security. Present your findings to the class.
Engage in a role-playing debate where you represent North Korean officials. Prepare arguments to justify the presence of North Korean submarines in South Korean waters. Consider historical, political, and strategic perspectives. This activity will help you understand the complexities of international diplomacy and conflict.
Participate in a workshop where you learn about the engineering behind submarines. Explore how submarines are designed to operate underwater, including buoyancy, propulsion, and stealth technology. Create a simple model or simulation to demonstrate these principles, and share your insights with the class.
Write a creative story from the perspective of a South Korean fisherman in the 1990s. Describe a typical day, including the challenges faced and the unexpected encounter with a North Korean submarine. Use historical context to enrich your narrative and share your story with your peers.
Analyze the current naval strategies of North and South Korea, focusing on submarine warfare. Compare the technological advancements and military capabilities of both nations. Discuss how these strategies impact regional security and international relations. Present your analysis in a report or presentation format.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
The Soccer Submarine Incident, 1998
In the 1990s, the life of a sea fisherman in South Korea, where its fishing industry had been booming since the 1950s, was relatively simple. One of its most popular catches at the time was the eel-like belt fish, and seemingly the only threat to the fishermen’s peaceful existence was the ongoing disputes with Chinese authorities over fishing rights in the region. A recently developed scheme implemented by the South Korean government aimed at streamlining the fishing industry and making it more efficient, which had already led to the scrapping of many fishing vessels.
Then one day in the summer of 1998, near the South Korean port of Sokcho, a commercial fishing trawler crew had the biggest catch of their lives: a 110-ton submarine. It was, in fact, a North Korean submarine that had snuck over the maritime border between North and South Korea and had become entangled in the trawler’s fishing nets, forcing the submarine to surface.
The fishermen watched as the submarine crew managed to cut away the netting and began to sail north. However, it soon came to a standstill and floated helplessly on the surface as its engine had stalled. They reported the incident over their radio to the authorities, who dispatched anti-submarine helicopters to the area to confirm its location. South Korean navy surface ships soon surrounded the stricken vessel and initially tried to communicate with it by radio. When that failed, they used loudspeakers and even tried tapping on the outside of the hull. As it was practically impossible to board the submarine at sea, they fastened it with a long rope to one of the combat corvettes at the scene, which towed it to the port of Tonghe.
The South Korean navy had only two years before captured a North Korean submarine that had run aground in South Korean territorial waters while on a spying mission. This captured submarine is now on public display in South Korea.
As for the captured submarine, while it was being towed into the harbor at the naval base at Tonghe, it mysteriously sank in 100 feet of water, taking all of its crew down with it. It wasn’t known if it sank because of mechanical failure or if the crew had deliberately scuttled their own vessel. The next day, the North Korean authorities issued an official press release stating that the submarine had been lost at sea in a tragic training accident.
Two days later, the South Korean navy managed to salvage the submarine. After cutting a hole into the hull, they were horrified to find nine dead bodies inside, four of which were North Korean special forces operatives and the other five were submariners of the North Korean navy. All of the special forces team had apparently committed suicide, but before they did, they executed the sailors to prevent them from being interrogated and revealing any important secrets. North Korean military edicts dictate that personnel should kill themselves rather than be captured by the enemy, so this order would have been carried out without hesitation.
The logbook found on board showed that the submarine had infiltrated South Korean territorial waters many times before, and there was evidence that when it got entangled in the fishermen’s nets, it was returning from yet another espionage mission. Inside, they also found a number of weapons and some South Korean drinks, as well as a 1995 issue of a magazine.
The bodies of the submarine crew were buried in a cemetery reserved for North Korean and Chinese soldiers. North Korea refused to accept the bodies of those killed in the South, claiming sovereignty over the whole of Korea, so the fallen were buried on Korean soil.
Over the next decade, there were several further incidents at sea between the two Koreas. The most serious and deadly one occurred on March 26, 2010, when the small corvette warship was hit and sunk by a torpedo near the maritime border between North and South Korea. This explosion resulted in the death of 46 crew members and injuries to 58, meaning the ship suffered a horrific casualty rate. One of the divers also died while searching for survivors during the rescue mission.
Remains of the torpedo were found at the scene and identified as belonging to a type manufactured by North Korea. This type of torpedo detonates a short distance from its target, causing a bubble and jet explosion that can create a significant impact on a ship.
The subsequent South Korean inquiry concluded that the ship was sunk by an unidentified North Korean submarine, a view supported by experts from several countries. However, this report was firmly rejected by the North Korean and Chinese governments.
Currently, it’s estimated that the North Korean navy has around 70 to 80 diesel submarines, including several Soviet designs from the 1960s and 70s. Most of these can only fire torpedoes or lay mines. Among this fleet are around 20 submarines, half of which are of a specific class that started entering North Korean service as far back as 1965. Worryingly, they have been developing submarine-launched nuclear missiles and larger, more capable attack submarines.
In response to these developments, South Korea has invested heavily in upgrading and expanding its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including new guided missile frigates equipped with advanced technology for detecting submarines and torpedoes.
Fishing – The activity of catching fish, which has historically been a crucial source of food and trade for many civilizations. – During World War II, fishing boats were sometimes used for covert operations along the coastlines of Europe.
Submarine – A naval vessel designed for underwater operations, often used for stealth and surprise attacks in military history. – The use of submarines in World War I marked a significant shift in naval warfare tactics.
North – A cardinal direction often used to describe geographical locations and strategic military positions. – The North African campaign during World War II was a pivotal series of battles between the Axis and Allied forces.
Korea – A region in East Asia that was the site of significant military conflict during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. – The division of Korea into North and South Korea after World War II led to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
South – A cardinal direction that can denote the southern part of a region or country, often significant in military strategy. – The South Pacific saw numerous critical battles during World War II, including the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Navy – The branch of a nation’s armed forces that conducts military operations at sea. – The British Royal Navy played a crucial role in maintaining control of the seas during the Napoleonic Wars.
Tensions – Strained relations between countries or groups, often leading to conflict or war. – The Cold War was characterized by high tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to an arms race.
Military – Relating to the armed forces or to soldiers, arms, or war. – The military strategies employed during the American Civil War have been studied extensively for their innovative tactics.
Espionage – The practice of spying or using spies to obtain political or military information. – Espionage played a critical role in the Cold War, with both sides seeking to gather intelligence on the other’s capabilities.
Incident – An event or occurrence, often one that is significant or noteworthy, especially in a military context. – The Gulf of Tonkin Incident in 1964 led to the escalation of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.
