Remembering the Chamsuri

Workers at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, central Seoul, yesterday put their finishing touches on the life-size replica of the Chamsuri-357, which will be unveiled for public viewing tomorrow.

The South Korean naval boat went down during a skirmish against North Korea in what became known as the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong in 2002 off the west coast.

Six Navy soldiers died in the clash, and the War Memorial will open the new wing on national security named after the boat.

The first naval battle near the Yeonpyeong Island took place in 1999, when no South Koreans died but 30 North Korean soldiers were killed in just 14 minutes. The second battle lasted 25 minutes, and 13 North Koreans and six South Koreans were killed in action. [YONHAP]