Related News
Stray South Korea fishing boat held in North
Source: Xinhua |
July 30, 2009, Thursday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
A South Korean fishing vessel was seized by a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) patrol boat after crossing the East Sea border this morning, the South Korean government said.
According to Lee Bung-woo, a defense ministry spokesperson in Seoul, the 29-ton South Korean boat named "800 Yonan," with four crew members on board, was hauled to the port of Jangjon at 9:30 am (0030 GMT).
"The satellite navigation system on the boat appears to have malfunctioned," the official said, adding that it crossed about seven miles into the DPRK's waters when it was seized around 6:30 am (2130GMT).
The squid-fishing boat, departing the port of Geojin, Gangwon Province, on the eastern coast at 1:30 pm (0430 GMT) yesterday, was scheduled to return to its port Friday morning, he said.
"We are pushing for its release," the official said, adding South Korean authorities have sent a message calling on the north side to immediately return the ship "for humanitarian reasons."
Pyongyang responded to the message, saying it would further check into the incident and push for their release.
The incident marks the third time since 2005 when a South Korean fishing boat named "Hwangman" was seized by the DPRK authorities.
In December 2006, a South Korean vessel named "Woojin" was also hauled into the DPRK territory after crossing the border.
The two previous boats were released after nearly three and 18 days, respectively, according to media reports.
According to Lee Bung-woo, a defense ministry spokesperson in Seoul, the 29-ton South Korean boat named "800 Yonan," with four crew members on board, was hauled to the port of Jangjon at 9:30 am (0030 GMT).
"The satellite navigation system on the boat appears to have malfunctioned," the official said, adding that it crossed about seven miles into the DPRK's waters when it was seized around 6:30 am (2130GMT).
The squid-fishing boat, departing the port of Geojin, Gangwon Province, on the eastern coast at 1:30 pm (0430 GMT) yesterday, was scheduled to return to its port Friday morning, he said.
"We are pushing for its release," the official said, adding South Korean authorities have sent a message calling on the north side to immediately return the ship "for humanitarian reasons."
Pyongyang responded to the message, saying it would further check into the incident and push for their release.
The incident marks the third time since 2005 when a South Korean fishing boat named "Hwangman" was seized by the DPRK authorities.
In December 2006, a South Korean vessel named "Woojin" was also hauled into the DPRK territory after crossing the border.
The two previous boats were released after nearly three and 18 days, respectively, according to media reports.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
