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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Seoul 'rescues' N Korean vessel | Seoul 'rescues' N Korean vessel |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| A South Korean navy warship has foiled a pirate attack on a North Korean cargo ship off Somalia's coast, military officials in Seoul say. | A South Korean navy warship has foiled a pirate attack on a North Korean cargo ship off Somalia's coast, military officials in Seoul say. |
| They say the South Korean destroyer sent a helicopter with snipers on board to drive away a pirate boat that was chasing the North Korean freighter. | They say the South Korean destroyer sent a helicopter with snipers on board to drive away a pirate boat that was chasing the North Korean freighter. |
| Seoul says the pirates sped away from the North Korean ship after the snipers prepared to fire warning shots. | Seoul says the pirates sped away from the North Korean ship after the snipers prepared to fire warning shots. |
| North and South Korea are technically at war following the 1950-53 conflict. | North and South Korea are technically at war following the 1950-53 conflict. |
| 'Thank you' message | 'Thank you' message |
| The military officials in Seoul said their warship had acted after picking up distress signals from the North Korean vessel on Monday. | The military officials in Seoul said their warship had acted after picking up distress signals from the North Korean vessel on Monday. |
| See map of how piracy is affecting the region and countries around the world | See map of how piracy is affecting the region and countries around the world |
| The pirate boat came as close as 3km (1.8 miles) to the cargo ship when the navy helicopter arrived at the scene, an official with South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff's office told Reuters news agency. | The pirate boat came as close as 3km (1.8 miles) to the cargo ship when the navy helicopter arrived at the scene, an official with South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff's office told Reuters news agency. |
| South Korea said the crew on its warship had received a thank you message from the North Koreans after thwarting the pirate attack. | South Korea said the crew on its warship had received a thank you message from the North Koreans after thwarting the pirate attack. |
| Seoul did not give any further details about the North Korean vessel or the nature of its cargo. | Seoul did not give any further details about the North Korean vessel or the nature of its cargo. |
| The South Korean destroyer has been escorting cargo vessels in the region since April. | The South Korean destroyer has been escorting cargo vessels in the region since April. |
| Last year, pirates attacked more than 100 ships on a key shipping route, demanding huge ransoms for their release. | Last year, pirates attacked more than 100 ships on a key shipping route, demanding huge ransoms for their release. |
| Their attacks have intensified recently, despite the presence of some 20 foreign naval vessels in the area to counter piracy. | Their attacks have intensified recently, despite the presence of some 20 foreign naval vessels in the area to counter piracy. |
| Somalia has been without an effective administration since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed piracy to thrive. | Somalia has been without an effective administration since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed piracy to thrive. |
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| When first loaded, the map's focus falls on Somalia where most of the pirates are based. Use the arrow icons to scroll left towards Europe and the United States which are both playing a central role in tackling the problem. | When first loaded, the map's focus falls on Somalia where most of the pirates are based. Use the arrow icons to scroll left towards Europe and the United States which are both playing a central role in tackling the problem. |
| Scroll to the right for a story about the Philippines, which supplies many of the world's mariners. | Scroll to the right for a story about the Philippines, which supplies many of the world's mariners. |
| You can zoom in for more detail by using the "+" or "-" signs on the upper left hand side. | You can zoom in for more detail by using the "+" or "-" signs on the upper left hand side. |
| Return to top | Return to top |