러시아 어선 탑승 한국인 2명 북한 체류 중
Seoul's Unification Ministry has confirmed Russian news reports that South Korean and Russian sailors are being detained by Pyeongyang for accidentally entering North Korean waters.
Our Lee Ji-won has the details.
Two South Koreans and 15 Russians are being held captive by North Korea after their fishing ship broke down and drifted into the North's waters.
Russian media reported on the incident earlier this week, and an official at South Korea's Unification Ministry confirmed the news on Wednesday.
The official said both South Korean sailors, in their 50s and 60s, are safe and well,... and are currently staying in a hotel in the city of Wonsan as they are being investigated together with the rest of the crew, as confirmed by the Russian authorities.
The ship, identified as the Russian-flagged Xiang Hai Lin 8, left South Korea's northeastern port of Sokcho on July 16th,... and was heading for the Russian port of Zarubino when its engine malfunctioned.
The North Korean border guards seized the ship accusing the vessel of "violating the rules of entry and stay in the territory", and had the sailors detained on July 17th.
The ship is currently at a port in Wonsan.
Through the inter-Korean liaison office, South Korea last week, requested updates from North Korea on the current status of the two Koreans.
A day later, Seoul again requested the information through Korean Red Cross,... but it's reported that Pyeongyang still hasn't replied as of Wednesday afternoon.
Seoul's Unification Ministry official said it is in close contact with Russia to receive updates on the matter and have its people returned back safely.
The Russian embassy in Pyeongyang said on Monday, that Russian consular officials were allowed to meet with the crew and that it's in constant contact with the North Koreans to resolve the situation.
There have been similar cases with South Korean vessels in 2010 and 2017.
Sailors of both ships were detained and investigated until they were released after 31 days and 7 days respectively.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.
