North Korea seizes Russian fishing boat

The Russian Embassy in Pyongyang said yesterday that North Korean border guards on July 17 detained the Xianghailin-8 fishing boat, owned by the Russian Northeast Fishing Company, for allegedly violating entry rules. North Korea is holding the boat and its crew of 15 Russians and two South Koreans in Wonsan.

The ship sailed from South Korea to the Sea of ​​Japan and was detained about 55 nautical miles (100 kilometers) from the North Korean border, said Sergei Sedler, deputy director of the Northeast Fishing Company. The crew was questioned every two days.

Russian embassy officials met the Russian captain and first mate along with two South Korean sailors at a hotel in Wonsan earlier this week. “All crew members are in good health,” the embassy said, adding that they were investigating what happened.South Korea said it was working with Russia to ensure the safety of its citizens.

Pyongyang says the captain "admitted to violating the Korean border"and they are inspecting the ship. "If no violations are found during the inspection, the boat will be released," North Korean officials announced.