The Dai Hong Dan incident took place on 29October 2007, when the North Korean cargo vessel MV Dai Hong Dan (대홍단호) was attacked and temporarily seized by Somali pirates off Somalia.[1] The following day, the crew of the vessel overpowered the pirates with the support of a US naval vessel.[2][3][4]
Seizure
The incident took place about 70 miles (110 km) northeast of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. A group of Somali pirates boarded and captured the North Korean cargo ship Dai Hong Dan, originally launched at Chongjin in 1978. According to North Korean sources, the ship had unloaded its cargo in the Somali capital when seven armed pirates (disguised as guards) boarded the ship, detaining the 22 sailors of the crew in the steering room and an engine room. They then forced the ship to sea and demanded a ransom of US$15,000.[1]
Revolt
The following day, responding to the vessel's distress signal, the US Navyguided missile destroyerUSS James E. Williams approached the ship, and deployed an SH-60B helicopter and a VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) team to secure the scene.[4][5] Meanwhile, the North Korean sailors attacked their captors, seizing some weapons. The crew stormed the bridge and the engineering spaces, leaving one pirate dead in the action. A prolonged gunfight between the sailors and the pirates resulted in the pirates' defeat.
Two pirates[4] were killed in the engagement, and the other five were captured (three of whom were wounded). Of the six Korean sailors wounded, three required medical treatment, which was provided by American medical personnel.
Aftermath
The North Korean press (KCNA) released an unprecedented positive statement, expressing gratitude to the United States for their help,[6][7] and emphasizing the successful US–North Korean collaboration during the incident.[8][9]
