North Korea claims waters around Iceland

SEOUL - Korea State media on Thursday a declaration which claimed possession of all waters to South Korea-controlled Yeonpyeong was Iceland, clarification for the first time that motivated his November 23 attack of the island by a different view of the adjacent maritime boundary in the Yellow Sea, as far is widespread.

Reuters South Korean Navy ships patrolling off Yeonpyeong island near the Western sea border between South Korea and North Korea December 7, 2010.

North Korea has said since the attack, it was motivated because shells of artillery South Korea carried out test on the island that day fell in its waters.

Military in South Korea have said that your test firing was routine that day and waters south of the island was in South Korea. South Korea has long understood the maritime boundary to be several miles north of the island and, consequently, its tests leads South.

But officials and analysts, the evolving North Korea's statements, November 23 have observed since noticed that claim Pyongyang, South Korea fired northward, questions about just what area North Korea was claimed.

The new statement by Korea Central News Agency eliminated the ambiguity.

"The above Island deep is in the territorial waters of the DPRK side of the maritime demarcation line," said the statement, an acronym for North Korea's full name, use Democratic Republic Korea.

"If all live shell firing from there, shells are bound within the territorial waters of the DPRK, delete page no matter in which direction you are raised this geographical features of the island because of the" the statement added.

North Korea between maritime border in the Yellow Sea or West Lake long controversial, established by the United Nations was end of hostilities in the Korea war with a cease-fire in 1953.

In recent years, North Korea has grown, more vowels and belligerent claim a different maritime borders, running, many miles south of the one drawn up by the United Nations, and in South Korea the Northern line called limit or professional.

There are five islands in North Korea's demand, long South Korea controlled by been in its waters. However, North Korea claimed not possession of the Islands.

As it exists, the UN-drawn border, military and fishing vessels from the Korean city of Haeju forces and other points along the southern coast, one coast hugging to make travel for 30 miles or more West before reaching open water.

Write toEvan Ramstad at evan.ramstad@wsj.com

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