November 10, 2009 - North Korean ship reportedly suffers heavy damage as each side blames the other for violating disputed sea border (by Tania Branigan for guardian.co.uk).

Ships from the North and South Korean navies exchanged fire off the peninsula's west coast today, with each side blaming the other for violating the disputed sea border.

The clash was the first of its kind for seven years. Seoul said there were no casualties on its side and it is unclear if there were deaths on the North Korean vessel – suggesting this was less serious than the deadly naval skirmishes of 1999 and 2002.