North Korea detains Russian fishing boat
North Korea last week seized a Russian fishing boat and its 17-member crew for allegedly violating entry rules.
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Russia's Xianghailin-8 ship. Photo:shipspotting. |
North Korean border guards seized the Xianghailin-8 fishing boat, owned by the Russian Northeast Fishing Company, on July 17 for violating entry rules, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang said yesterday. 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 km) from the North Korean border, said Sergei Sedler, deputy director of the Northeast Fishing Company. The crew was being questioned every two days.
Russian embassy officials met the Russian captain and a second 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 it was investigating what happened.South Korea said it was working with Russia to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Pyongyang said the captain had "admitted to violating the North 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.
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Location of Wonsan. Graphics: LibraryTexas. |
