N. Korea Is Said Near Apology for Sub Incident

In a major concession, North Korea has agreed to apologize for the September intrusion of a spy submarine into South Korean waters, officials here said today.

U.S. officials, on behalf of South Korea, had been negotiating with the Communist North over the apology since Dec. 9.

South Korea demanded an apology before it would improve relations with the North and renew economic aid to its impoverished neighbor. And the United States is considering food and energy assistance for North Korea if it expresses regret over the incident.

South Korean officials said North Korea and the United States had reached full agreement on the language of the North’s apology, removing the last obstacle in their negotiations.

The officials refused to reveal details until the North formally apologizes through its official media. But South Korean newspapers, quoting diplomatic sources in Washington, said the apology will express “deep regret over the serious human casualties” caused by the intrusion.

The apology, to be made today or Monday, will be in the name of a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman, officials in Seoul said.

The apology is a major concession for North Korea, which has insisted its submarine accidentally drifted into South Korean territory during routine training.

South Korea says the submarine was on an espionage mission when it broke down. Thirteen South Korean soldiers and civilians were killed in the massive hunt for the 26 North Koreans who swam ashore.

Twenty-four North Korean commandos were killed or found dead. One was captured alive, and another is missing.

Quoting an unidentified government source, South Korea’s Kookmin Ilbo reported Saturday that North Korea has executed 10 military officials it held responsible for the failure of the submarine mission.