According to South Korean reports, twelve South Korean navy vessels and three jets surrounded the alleged ship as about 200 flares lit the night sky as bright as daylight. The South Koreans fired more than 2,000 rounds at the bogus 'North Korean' ship, but reportedly only three of the 2,000 shots found the mark. See for yourselves. Once trapped in the easily sealed Korean Strait, a hostile vessel has little prospect of fleeing the anti-submarine obstacles. Curiously, the US 7th Fleet stood by idle as the South Koreans carried out what they termed an intensive search for the alleged North Korean ship.
American inaction testifies beyond doubt that no North Korean vessel was involved.
Interestingly the South Koreans began the hunt for the alleged mother ship only after the alleged speedboat was sunk. The fishing boat was chased 10,000 meters east of the scene where the alleged speedboat was sunk. Since the Japanese fishing boat, suspected of being the 'mother' ship, was fleeing at a speed of 50-60 knots refusing to stop, dozens of South Korean navy warships and a number of fighters should have been called into action. Instead, the Japanese fishing boat was allowed to leave the scene. The Korean Straits is a major fishing ground for the Japanese.