850 Chapter 6
Participants: 731 North Korea/2 United States of America, 732 South Korea
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: South Korean troops killed a North Korean infiltrator, losing one of their
own in the fight. In another incident, North Korean troops attacked a group of South
Korean soldiers led by two American officers who were trimming a tree in the jointly
held Panmunjom truce area. Both of the American officers were killed. The United
States made a massive show of force in response. The United States and North Korea
negotiated a settlement to divide the Panmunjom area in order to avoid a similar
incident.
Coding changes: End Date changed from August 31, 1976. Outcome changed from
Unclear. Settlement changed from None.
MID#2192
Dispute Number: 2192
Date(s): April 7, 1977 to May 19, 1978
Participants: 731 North Korea/2 United States of America, 732 South Korea
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Unclear)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: This dispute describes a series of actions between North Korea and South
Korea, with the United States providing support to the South Koreans. It began in
early April 1977 with joint exercises by American and South Korean forces. Then, the
following month—on May 3—North Korean forced killed a South Korean soldier in
the demilitarized zone but North Korean officials stated that the news was a “fabrica-
tion” by South Korea.
Similar incidents followed. On July 14, an American helicopter accidentally
crossed into North Korean airspace and was shot down, killing three US airmen. In
late October, an incident occurred in which two South Korean airmen were captured
by the North Korean military, with North Korea claiming that they had defected and
South Korea alleging that the crew had been abducted from the demilitarized zone.
Between March 7 and March 17, 1978, the US and South Korean military conducted
the largest joint military exercises ever in South Korea. On April 28, South Korea
alleged that there had been an exchange of fire in which a South Korean naval man had
been killed and a North Korean spy boat had been sunk. North Korea again claimed
the news was another fabrication. The last incident was when South Korea sunk a
North Korean fishing vessel on May 19.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from April 28, 1977.
MID#2193
Dispute Number: 2193
Date(s): March 1, 1979 to December 6, 1980
Participants: 731 North Korea/2 United States of America, 732 South Korea
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)