Northern Limit Line 2015

Corporal Park Dong-hyuk, a newcomer in the Republic of Korea Navy, finds himself assigned to the patrol vessel PKM 357 amidst rising tensions along the Northern Limit Line. As the 2002 FIFA World Cup captivates the nation, North Korea’s sly operatives use fishing trawlers as cover to send agents across the maritime boundary. Seizing this opportunity, PKM 357 intercepts these suspicious vessels, granting the North Korean spies critical insights into its ship design and operations.

This initial encounter opens the floodgates, as the North Korean Navy repeatedly infiltrates South Korean waters, engaged in reconnaissance to analyze the ROK Navy’s patrol strategies and defensive measures. Despite receiving concerning intelligence on these incursions, the South Korean Ministry of Defense finds itself hampered by directives from the Blue House, which prevent them from acting preemptively. The urgent warnings issued by the commander of PKM 357, Lieutenant Commander Yoon Young-ha, for a shift in engagement rules are regrettably overlooked even as the threat of an attack looms ever closer.

The storm breaks on June 29, 2002, when North Korea mounts a surprise offensive against PKM 357. In the heat of battle, both vessels sustain catastrophic damage before reinforcements from the South force the North Korean ship to retreat. The aftermath of the conflict is tragic, revealing a toll of 19 injured and 4 dead, with PKM 357 ultimately falling victim to raging flames. Heartbreakingly, divers later discover the helmsman’s lifeless body entangled in the wreckage of the sunken ship.

Eighty-three days pass before Park Dong-hyuk succumbs to his injuries, marking him as the last casualty of the Battle of Yeonpyeong. The film draws to a close with the surviving crew members honoring their fallen brothers, gathered around heartfelt photographs that commemorate those who bravely gave their lives in service.