![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Northern_Limit_Line.svg/350px-Northern_Limit_Line.svg.png)
The Northern Limit Line or North Limit Line (NLL) is a disputed maritime demarcation line in the Yellow Sea between North Korea and South Korea.
The line was unilaterally set by the U.S.-led United Nations military forces in August 1953 after the United Nations Command and North Korea failed to reach an agreement. It is not officially recognized by North Korea.[1] In particular, it is not included into the Armistice Agreement of 1953 between the two states.
The line runs between the mainland portion of Gyeonggi-do province that had been part of Hwanghae before 1945, and the adjacent offshore islands, the largest of which is Baengnyeongdo. As a result, the mainland portion reverted to North Korean control, while the islands remained a part of South Korea. Since 1999, North Korea has claimed a more southerly "Maritime Military Demarcation Line", which would make the islands a part of North Korea as well.[2]
Disputes between North and South Korean naval vessels often occur in this area and its issue periodically arises during their talks. Occasionally violence flares up along the line and deadly skirmishes occurred in 1999, 2002 and 2009.[3]
On May 27, 2009, following a successful nuclear test, North Korea warned that attempts to enforce the NLL would be met with immediate military force.[3]
On November 10, 2009, naval vessels from the two Koreas exchanged fire in the area of the NLL, reportedly causing serious damage to a North Korean patrol ship.[4]
See also
References
- ^ Roehrig, Terence (2009). "North Korea and the Northern Limit Line". North Korean Review. 5 (1), 8 – 22.
- ^ KPA urges U.S. and S. Korea to accept maritime demarcation line at West Sea. Korean Central News Agency. July 21, 1999.
- ^ a b Pike, John (May 27, 2009). Northern Limit Line (NLL) West Sea Naval Engagements. GlobalSecurity.org.
- ^ Kim, San (November 10, 2009). Koreas clash in Yellow Sea, blame each other. Yonhap.