North Korea thanks U.S. for aid with pirates
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea expressed rare gratitude Thursday for U.S. help in ending a high-seas standoff with Somali pirates, a sign of warming ties between the longtime foes fostered by progress on Pyongyang’s nuclear disarmament.
The U.S. Navy’s aid to North Korean sailors last week was unprecedented in the half-century of hostility between the Cold War enemies, according to the Naval Historical Center in Washington.
The North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) hailed the maritime collaboration as a “symbol of cooperation” between the two countries “in the struggle against terrorism.”
“The pirates’ recent armed attack on our trading ship was a grave terrorist act perpetrated against a peaceful ship,” KCNA said. “We feel grateful to the United States for its assistance given to our crewmen.”
The U.S. Navy came to the aid of the North Korean cargo ship Dai Hong Dan, whose crew overpowered Somali pirates in a bloody battle. After the crew regained control of the ship, Navy personnel boarded it at the North Koreans’ invitation to treat wounded sailors and hijackers.
“This is a very interesting new direction between U.S. and North Korea,” said Maochun Yu, a professor of history at the U.S. Naval Academy. “It adds a little bit of complexity between the U.S. and North Korea. This one adds a human face, shows humanitarian aid is part of the U.S. mission.”
Seven pirates disguised as guards boarded the vessel Oct. 29 while it was in port in Mogadishu, Somalia, KCNA reported. It said they demanded $15,000 and to be taken wherever they wanted.
The North Koreans fought back after seizing weapons from two pirates guarding the ship’s engine room and regained control 20 hours after being taken captive, KCNA said. One pirate was killed.