Dai Hong Dan incident

On 29 October 2007 the North Korean cargo MV Dai Hong Dan was attacked and temporarily seized by Somali pirates off Somalia. The following day the crew of the cargo overpowered the pirates with support of an US vessel.

Seizure
The incident took place about 70 miles northeast of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, when a group of Somali pirates boarded and captured the North Korean cargo ship Dai Hong Dan. According the North Korean sources, the ship had left her cargo in the Somali capital when 7 armed pirates (disguided as guards) boarded the ship, deteining the 22 sailors of the crew into the steering room and an engine room, forcing the ship to take sea and demanding a ransom of $15,000.

Revolt
The following day, the American destroyer USS James E. Williams approached the ship and dispatched an helicopter. Meanwhile the North Korean sailors attacked their captures seizing some weapons. A prolonged gunfire battle between the sailors and the pirates resulted in the defeat of the latter. One or two pirates were killed in the engagement, and the others were captured (3 were wounded). Six Korean sailors were wounded, three of them seriously and required medical help that was provided by Americans.

Aftermath
The North Korean press (KCNA) released an uncommon statement, stressing the successful American-North Korean collaboration during the incident.