Mystery Ship Reportedly Sent Suicide Message
A suspected North Korean ship that sank after a gunfight with Japanese patrol boats Dec. 22 sent a suicide message before sinking, Japanese media reported today.
Although the unidentified ship went down, apparently with all 15 hands, following the gunfire exchange, the cause of its sinking remains unknown.
Citing Defense Agency and police sources, the Nihon Keizai newspaper said an agency monitoring facility had picked up messages saying the crew members were prepared to commit suicide if they could not break away from their pursuers.
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