S Korea military admits mishandling sea battle

SEOUL: The South Korean navy on Sunday admitted it mishandled a deadly inter-Korean sea clash last week but rejected North Korea's accusations that it provoked the skirmish.


The defense ministry said an incorrect report by field commanders led to the slow response by navy ships which came under threat from North Korean missiles in the Yellow Sea.


The June 29 battle caused nationwide anger over the deaths of four sailors, with one still missing and 19 wounded, many seriously. Opposition and ruling parties have demanded the sacking of Defense Minister Kim Dong-Shin because of the ineffective response.


South Korea said a North Korean patrol boat ignored warnings after crossing the disputed sea frontier off the west coast of the Korean peninsula and then opened fire on the South's navy.


"The initial report on casualties was late and incorrect," said Rear Admiral Bae Sang-Gi, who headed a defence ministry probe into the second clash in the zone in three years.