From Simon Withers (7.04):

In an idle moment I thought I'd have another crack at answering one of your
askings.

You ask 'I read this in The Age newspaper, Melbourne, 'The two Koreas are
technically still at war, and recently fought a battle in the Yellow Sea.' Do you know about this? Was it reported anywhere?'

Well, it's appears to be true that they are technically still at war. As CNN says here - http://www.cnn.com/world/9604/08/korea_dmz/ -

'The armistice ended the fighting, but not, technically, the war. No permanent peace treaty has ever been signed.'

I suspect the incident you refer to though, were the events of June 1999,
when further 'reckless provocations' took place. Here is the official line on those events from the North:

http://210.145.168.243/pk/099th%5Fissue/99061614.htm

It sounds like more of a skirmish than a battle though. A search for 'reckless provocations' on Google will throw up numerous other
references to these incidents.If you really want to keep up with the news from North Korea (and who doesn't?), you really ought to check out the following web sites:

http://www.kcna.co.jp

All the news that's fit to print from the official agency. Actually, that
doesn't leave very much, mostly items along the lines of:
'DPRK Delegation to Six-party Talks Leaves'
'Kimjongilia Show Goes on Successfully'
'Kim Jong Il's Work Published in Romania'
'More Stones Donated to Tower of Juche Idea'

http://www.korea-dpr.com
This site is more useful for general background information. Highlights
include the following:

http://www.korea-dpr.com/users/norway/events/kfahymn.swf

Excellent stuff.

http://www.korea-dpr.com/airkoryo1.htm

Valuable info about that estimable Eastern airline 'Air Koryo'. Be sure to
click on 'Next Page' in order to view their extensive route network.

This web site also includes a shopping page, which might be useful around
Christmas for some of those more difficult-to-please relatives

http://www.koryogroup.com

Finally, this site has more good North Korea tourist information.

For example:

http://www.koryogroup.com/tours/index.html

Did you know North Korea is a golfer's paradise? Oh yes:

Price includes a visit to the driving range on the evening of arrival,
one round at Pyongyang Golf course, complete with caddy. And a round of pitch and putt at the Yanggakdo hotel course (after which you will have played on 100% of North Korea's golf courses)), which has a newly re-developed 9th hole complete with singing waitress!'

Or, how about the Short Family Tour:
'Take the children to the alternative Disneyland.'

Go on - you know they'll thank you for it!

All in all, the Democratic People's Republic is an endless source of variety
and entertainment for those of us fortunate to reside outside it. If only
they would use their powers for good...