There is a troubling incident unfolding off the western coast of North Korea, where a South Korean naval ship with around 100 crew members aboard is reportedly sinking after a possible torpedo attack. None of which particularly qualifies as particularly “good” news:

A South Korean navy ship with about 100 personnel on board is sinking off the west coast near North Korea, possibly due to a torpedo attack, reports say.

The ship was sinking near Baengnyeong island, Yonhap news agency quoted navy officials as saying.

It also said the South Korean ship had fired shots toward an unidentified ship in the North. The incident has not been confirmed by government officials.

A rescue operation was said to be under way, amid fears for the sailors.

Baengnyeong is actually within South Korea’s territorial waters despite its location near North Korea.

The concern, of course, is that this situation could heat up rather quickly. The southern government has already convened an emergency meeting for cabinet members, and we don’t really know what’s happening in the secretive north.

Technically the Korean War never ended and we remain at war with the DPRK. Obviously the last thing the world needs, especially with Obozo in office, is a military conflict in the Korean Peninsula.

Update: Reportedly fifty crew members have been rescued from the South Korean naval ship. Which is the good news. The bad news? Dozens are feared dead.

Update X2: Forgot another fun fact. What happens if North Korea invades the south? The invading forces will be met with the fine men and women of the United States military. We have 30,000 troops stationed in South Korea alone. So we’re in it if shit hits the fan.

I doubt it will, but we don’t need more instability and inconclusiveness with the potential to start WWIII right now.

Update X3: This isn’t the first naval skirmish in recent years, though it does appear to be the biggest. BBC has a timeline:

2009: One North Korean sailor killed in a naval battle

2002: Four South Korean sailors and an estimated 30 North Koreans killed in a naval battle

1999: At least 17 North Korean sailors believed killed in naval fire fight

1998: South Korea captures a North Korean mini-submarine in its waters

1996: A North Korean submarine runs aground in South Korean waters

None of them involved dozens of dead South Koreans and at least one sinking ship, of course.

Update X4: BBC is reporting that the ship has completely sunk. More than fifty crew members unaccounted for as of now.