June 29, 2002, 6:00 a.m.
In the waters off Yeonpyeong Island in the West Sea, roughly five kilometers south of the Northern Limit Line, a massive barge measuring 58 meters in width and 18.5 meters in length lay anchored alone in the vast open sea.
It was a frontline maritime forward base, standing guard over the West Sea against North Korea amid tense confrontation.
Because of reefs and shallow waters, naval patrol boats had difficulty entering and exiting Yeonpyeong Island's harbor. More importantly, responding immediately in an emergency was challenging. To address this, the Navy had been operating a maritime forward base at sea since 1978 instead of relying solely on the island's port.
Thanks to this setup, patrol boats could be dispatched to the scene within five minutes of an incident, allowing fishermen in Yeonpyeong Island and the other four West Sea islands to carry out their livelihoods with peace of mind.
To make that possible, dozens of naval personnel had to endure months of isolation on a forward base no larger than half a soccer field, constantly swaying with the waves.
Because the number of personnel allowed aboard was limited, everyone had to take on multiple roles. A medic, for instance, managed both the infirmary and the PX. Even during meals, if a deployment order came down, they had to leave their food behind and board the patrol boat immediately. The duties were demanding and exhausting.
Winter in Yeonpyeong was especially harsh. The cold was biting, and the weather was often poor, yet they could not retreat to the harbour. Instead, they had to endure the cutting sea winds out on the water.
Even under such grueling conditions, the sailors stationed at the maritime forward base and aboard the patrol boats carried out their missions quietly, sustained by the pride of guarding the front line of their nation's waters.
Whoosh.
As waves rolled and crashed, two new Chamsuri-class patrol boats lay moored on either side of the forward base, ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
Major Joo Yong-hoon, commander of Squadron 232, approached one of the patrol boats with the number 711 painted in white on its bow and lifted his sun-darkened face toward it.
"Lieutenant Seo."
At the call, Captain Seo Jeong-hoon, who had been standing beside the 76mm OTO Melara naval gun mounted on the forward deck, speaking with Chief Petty Officer Shin Yi-seop, the engine mechanic, quickly crossed over to the barge and snapped a salute.
"You called for me, sir?"
Major Joo Yong-hoon looked at Captain Seo with a slightly weary expression and spoke.
"Have you completed refueling?"
"Yes, sir. We finished all refueling last night."
Major Joo Yong-hoon raised one hand and removed his cap.
A cool sea breeze swept through his flattened hair, easing the heat that had built up beneath it.
Running a hand back through his hair, he put his cap on again and spoke in a slightly husky voice.
"I mentioned it during yesterday's briefing, but the movement from the North hasn't looked normal lately."
"Is this about the North Korean patrol boats that crossed the NLL near Baengnyeong Island a few days ago?"
"Yes. Fortunately, there wasn't a major clash, but the way they've been crossing the NLL so frequently… it feels like they're testing how we'll respond. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
The Northern Limit Line was a de facto maritime ceasefire line drawn in the East and West Seas following the armistice agreement.
Unlike on land, no clearly defined boundary had been negotiated during the armistice talks.
However, with North Korea's naval power effectively devastated at the time, the United Nations Command established the line as a limit beyond which UN and South Korean forces would not advance to end the war. That line became known as the Northern Limit Line, or NLL.
For decades after the armistice, North Korea tacitly acknowledged it, and the NLL became firmly established as the practical maritime boundary between the two Koreas.
"I'm concerned about the frequent incursions across the NLL as well. But even North Korea wouldn't dare provoke something during the World Cup, when the eyes of the world are focused here, would they?"
Major Joo Yong-hoon shared the same thought, yet he could not shake the ominous premonition creeping into the back of his mind.
"Even so, we can't be certain. If we head out today to support the fishing protection mission, make sure we're prepared to respond to any sudden situation."
"Understood, sir."
Major Joo Yong-hoon gave Captain Seo Jeong-hoon's shoulder a light pat, then walked into the forward base building painted in gray.
Captain Seo remained standing for a moment, watching his superior's retreating figure. Soon after, he turned and boarded the patrol boat, which was in the midst of departure preparations.
***
9:50 a.m., waters west of Yeonpyeong Island.
With waves at around one meter and the sea relatively calm, several fishing boats carrying Yeonpyeong residents had cast their nets.
The surrounding waters, enriched by sediment flowing in from the Han River, Imjin River, and Yesong River, had long been known as a golden fishing ground thanks to their naturally abundant food supply.
But after the tragedy of the Korean War and the drawing of the NLL, the area had become both a symbol of division and a sea perpetually thick with tension.
On the outer perimeter of the busy fishing boats, two modern Chamsuri-class naval patrol boats floated on either side, standing guard.
Private First Class Hwang Hae-il, assigned to lookout duty, wore an orange life vest and a gray steel helmet as he scanned the horizon through binoculars. He then turned his head toward the cluster of fishing boats and muttered in a complaining tone.
"It'd be nice if they just took the day off from fishing on a day like this, wouldn't it, Sergeant?"
Sergeant Noh Hyun-gyu, standing beside him, lowered his binoculars and shot him a glance.
"What's so special about today?"
"The third-place playoff against Turkey in Daegu this evening."
"Oh, the soccer match?"
Sergeant Noh replied indifferently.
"It's not even the final. It's just a third-place match. What's with all the fuss?"
"Just a third-place match? It's the final World Cup game for the Taegeuk Warriors, who made history by reaching the semifinals! As citizens of this country, we should watch to the very end and cheer them on!"
At the sight of him speaking so passionately that spit flew, Sergeant Noh Hyun-gyu wore an incredulous expression.
"Hey. You didn't even care about soccer before the World Cup. Since when were you such a fan?"
Private First Class Hwang Hae-il shamelessly placed a hand over his chest.
"The blazing Red Devils heart that had been hidden deep inside me has awakened through this World Cup."
"Give me a break. Cut the nonsense about blazing hearts and keep your eyes on lookout duty."
"But Sergeant, honestly, you want to watch the match today too, don't you?"
Sergeant Noh Hyun-gyu took a peppermint candy from his pocket, popped it into his mouth, and let out a snort.
"Since we're near the NLL, the boats have to finish fishing and head back before sunset. If things go well, we should be able to return to the forward base before kickoff and catch the game on TV."
"Oh? Then will we be able to watch the broadcast in the mess hall like during the semifinal?"
Private First Class Hwang Hae-il asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Yeah. I heard they're setting up a projector in the mess so we can all watch together once the operation's over and we're back."
"Nice! Soccer's best when everyone gathers and cheers together, sir."
Hwang Hae-il chuckled and smacked his lips in anticipation.
"If we could have some crispy fried chicken and beer to go with it, that'd be perfect. Shame we can't."
"A soldier going on about chicken, huh? The military's gotten pretty cushy these days, hasn't it?"
Clicking his tongue as if to say things were different in his time, Sergeant Noh added,
"At least we'll have frozen snacks and cola. Make do with that."
"Yes, sir. If I'd known it would be like this, I wouldn't have finished a semester before enlisting. I should've taken a leave of absence right after starting college and joined up sooner. I really regret it."
"Why? So you could wear a Red Devils shirt and head out to Gwanghwamun?"
"Of course, sir. Every time I see the TV showing the streets of Gwanghwamun packed with people cheering, I can't tell you how jealous I am."
"Is it the group cheering you're jealous of, or the chance to hit on the women who show up?"
"Ahem. How did you know, sir?"
Sergeant Noh Hyun-gyu looked at the grinning Private First Class Hwang Hae-il with exasperation and lightly tapped his helmet with the palm of his hand.
"Enough with the nonsense. Keep an eye on the fishing boats and make sure none of them crosses the NLL."
"Yes, sir."
Hwang nodded and raised the binoculars back to his eyes.
Meanwhile, inside the patrol boat's wheelhouse, Captain Seo Jeong-hoon, serving as the officer in charge, scanned the surroundings. His brows drew together as he lowered the binoculars in his hand.
"Communications officer. Radio Baengnyeong 13 and tell them not to get too close to the NLL."
"Yes, sir."
Communications Sergeant Choi Hyun immediately lifted the radio handset to his mouth and sent out a warning over the shared frequency.
"We go over safety rules before every fishing period, yet as soon as they head out, there's always a boat that drifts beyond the permitted zone. I really don't understand why they do that."
Lieutenant Chu Song-ryeol, the executive officer, stepped up beside Captain Seo Jeong-hoon, who was standing in front of the bulletproof window, and let out a sigh.
After confirming that the warned fishing vessel had returned to the authorized fishing area, Captain Seo lowered his binoculars and turned to look at Lieutenant Chu.
"They're probably just trying to catch a little more fish."
"And if that leads to a clash with the North Korean forces, we're the ones who'll have to deal with it."
"The fishermen know it's dangerous. But they also know that if they edge just a bit closer to the NLL, they can haul in large fish by the netful. They can't resist that temptation. And we're here to protect those fishermen, aren't we?"
Captain Seo Jeong-hoon replied with a faint smile, and Lieutenant Chu Song-ryeol clicked his tongue.
"True, sir. If there's a fishing ground right in front of you, teeming with fish, it's only natural to get greedy. Our boats can't even operate there because of the NLL, yet Chinese vessels swarm into the northern waters in groups and sweep everything up, even juvenile fish. How does that make any sense? Every time I see it, my blood boils. I can't imagine how frustrated and angry the fishermen must feel."
Captain Seo offered no reply, only a bitter expression.
It was, without question, their sea. And yet the reality that Korean fishermen could not freely enter and fish there was nothing short of painful.
At that moment, Major Joo Yong-hoon's voice, rigid and tense, crackled through the radio speaker.
[711, do you copy!]
Captain Seo Jeong-hoon hurried over to the radio, and Sergeant Choi Hyun quickly handed him the handset.
"This is 711. Reading you loud and clear. Over."
[A North Korean patrol boat has crossed the NLL and is rapidly heading south toward the fishing fleet. Execute immediate response maneuvers and push it back beyond the NLL!]
The moment he heard the report, Captain Seo checked the radar display.
Sure enough, a bright blip had crossed the NLL and was approaching their side. His face hardened.
"Understood. Initiating response maneuvers immediately."
[The Jecheon, positioned to the rear, will move north to provide cover. Do not overextend. Act in accordance with the rules of engagement!]
"Understood. Over."
After ending the transmission, Captain Seo Jeong-hoon handed the radio back to Sergeant Choi Hyun and issued an order.
"Immediately instruct the fishing boats to cease operations and return to Baengnyeong Island!"
"Yes, sir!"
Sergeant Choi promptly began broadcasting evacuation instructions over the shared frequency.
Turning his head, Captain Seo looked at Lieutenant Chu Song-ryeol, the executive officer.
"Sound the general alarm and issue battle stations."
"Yes, sir."
Lieutenant Chu Song-ryeol nodded, grabbed the handset in front of him, pressed the red button, and shouted at the top of his lungs.
Beep, beep, beep!
"All hands to battle stations! This is not a drill. This is live!"
At the announcement blaring through the ship's speakers, the crew of 711 moved in perfect coordination, rushing to their assigned positions just as they had trained.
"Starboard thirty degrees! Maximum power!"
At Captain Seo Jeong-hoon's command, Helmsman Sergeant Han Jae-jun increased engine output and turned the wheel hard to the right.
With a roar of its engines, 711 surged forward, cutting through the water at speed.