2 More N. Korean Intruders Killed, Bringing Toll to 20

South Korean troops killed two more North Korean agents in gun battles in mountainous terrain early today. Two South Korean soldiers hunting the infiltrators were also killed, the Defense Ministry said.

The deaths brought to 20 the number of North Korean intruders killed or found dead since their submarine was discovered marooned off the east coast of South Korea last week.

South Korean troops opened fire shortly after daybreak today when they spotted a North Korean infiltrator on a mountain slope, officials said. The intruder returned fire, killing one South Korean soldier.

The North Korean was killed after a 30-minute shootout described by officials as “fierce.”

Late Saturday, on a mountain slope about 500 yards away, South Korean soldiers waiting in ambush killed another North Korean intruder, they said.

Earlier Saturday, two North Korean agents shot and killed a South Korean paratrooper who was pursuing them, then disappeared into the mountains. Today’s shootout took place about three miles from that incident.

“We believe the rest of the North Koreans are within our cordon. Our troops are pressing on,” said military spokesman Col. Kang Jun Kwon.

Another South Korean soldier injured in overnight fighting died at a hospital today, bringing South Korean fatalities to three.

In the first two days of the search, 18 North Koreans who fled from the grounded submarine were killed or found dead, and one was captured.

Intelligence officials have said that the sub is believed to have been on a mission to land spies and saboteurs in the South.