The World - News from March 29, 1988

The Soviet Union and North Korea have begun joint naval exercises for the first time, according to Adm. David E. Jeremiah, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In a Pentagon briefing, Jeremiah said the Soviets and North Koreans have long held joint maneuvers along their border but that this is “the first time I can recall seeing them operating at sea in a common exercise.” North Korea’s navy is relatively small, consisting of two frigates, 20 submarines and seven mini-submarines. Jeremiah also said the Soviets have increased their air patrols along the Asian coastline. He called this an apparent reaction to the uncontested flight of a 19-year-old West German pilot, Mathias Rust, last May into Moscow’s Red Square.