Russia has summoned the North Korean Charge d’Affaires to the Foreign Ministry for an explanation on Tuesday after a clash in the Sea of Japan between Russian border patrol ships and a group of North Korean poachers fishing in Russian economic territory.



Russia reported two schooners and 11 motorboats from North Korea were spotted in Russia’s Exclusive Economic Zon. Border patrol went to detain the vessels, but after taking the first one, the second schooner opened fire on the Russians, wounding at least three border patrol guards.



The Russians ultimately captured every single one of them, some 80 North Korean sailors in all, and since the charges went from illegal fishing to attacking and wounding three Russian border agents, it’s a more serious incident now.



It’s not clear what is going to happen from here. North Korea had briefly captured but released a Russian fishing boat a few months ago. Now with an actual clash, maritime security is likely to be a higher priority in the area.





Author: Jason Ditz Jason Ditz is news editor of Antiwar.com. View all posts by Jason Ditz