09-151.pdf

crew removed the net and continued navigating along the coast before
being stopped by naval vessels. These vessels had in vain tried to talk
to the submarine and the crew refused to come out. On June 25, the
sub-marine was moved to a naval base on the east coast, but since the
exit hatches were locked, it was necessary to cut them from outside to
enter the submarine. It was confirmed that the crew had committed
suicide. Equipment such as pistols and automatic rifles and documents
confirming intrusion and intelligence-gathering were discovered.
The UNC requested an admission of facts, punishment of those
responsible and a guarantee that such an incident would not reoccur,
but the KPA claimed that the incident was due to engine trouble
during exercise. South Korea had seized the submarine by force and
killed the crew. On July 3, nine corpses of the crew were returned through
Panmunjom, as decided.
North Korea emphasized that the Armistice Agreement should
be annulled and a new system prepared. The UNC protested by
claiming that the signing of a peace treaty was a political issue that
should not be raised in the talks but through the four-party talks or
North-South dialogue. The target was to ease tension and maintain
peace through agreed procedures and the existing commissions
should be normalized. The US and South Korean members argued
that the Armistice Agreement had helped to prevent military clashes
and ease tension. The incident was also raised at the secretary meeting
called by the UNC/MAC held on June 26. The KPA again referred to
engine trouble and requested the return of the crew and the submarine.
The UNC/MAC mentioned that the incident was under investigation
and urged the non-recurrence of such an incident. 321
321_ Ch’oe, ibid., 2004; pp. 38, 39; Hapch’am chôngbo ponbu, ibid., 1999, pp. 442,
North Korea Incapacitates the MAC and the NNSC in the 1990s
415