By Kim Bo-eun

Families of soldiers killed or injured during the 2002 naval clash with North Korea have filed a 600 million won ($514,134) damage suit against former military officials.

Legal sources said Monday that 12 members of the families filed the suit with the Seoul Central District Court against 12 former ranking officials including then Defense Minister Kim Dong-shin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Lee Nam-sin.

The plaintiffs claimed that the South Korean military had detected unusual movements in the North by monitoring communication, but that it failed to accurately deliver the information, making it impossible for them to prepare properly for the attack.

“Those in charge of military information and operations should take responsibility for the loss of the lives of innocent soldiers,” they said, demanding that each victim’s family members should be compensated between 37 and 63 million won.

The second inter-Korean naval battle off the border of Yeonpyeong Island broke out on June 29, 2002 during the Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup. Two North Korean boats crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the western sea and opened fire, killing six and injuring 18.

The first naval skirmish in Yeongyeong Island took place in 1999.