page_title: Second Battle of Yeonpyeong
section_title: Background
hierarchical_section_title: Second Battle of Yeonpyeong / Background
context_page_description: The Second Battle of Yeonpyeong was a confrontation at sea between North Korean and South Korean patrol boats along a disputed maritime boundary near Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea in 2002. This followed a similar confrontation in 1999. Two North Korean patrol boats crossed the contested border and engaged two South Korean Chamsuri-class patrol boats. The North Koreans withdrew before South Korean reinforcements arrived.
context_section_description: The Northern Limit Line is considered by South Korea to be the maritime boundary between itself and North Korea, while North Korea disagrees and states that the boundary is farther south. North Korean fishing vessels often wander into the area and are frequently chased away by South Korean patrol vessels. Occasionally a North Korean patrol tries to enforce its southern claim by traversing the limit line. In 2002 one such incursion turned into a naval battle along the limit line.
caption: The disputed maritime border between North and South Korea in the Yellow Sea:[1]
         A:  United Nations-created Northern Limit Line,  1953[2]
         B:  North Korea-declared  "Inter-Korean MDL", 1999[3]  The locations of specific islands are reflected in the configuration of each maritime boundary, including 1–Yeonpyeong Island2–Baengnyeong Island3–Daecheong Island   Other map features4-Jung-gu (Incheon Intl. Airport), 5-Seoul, 6-Incheon, 7-Haeju, 8-Kaesong, 9-Ganghwa County, 10-Bukdo Myeon, 11-Deokjeokdo, 12-Jawol Myeon, 13-Yeongheung Myeon