Seen above is a Russian fishing boat, XIANG HAI LIN 8, which went adrift last week near the inter-Korean maritime border. The vessel is now being held by the North Korean authorities. Screen capture from MarineTraffic



By Lee Min-hyung



Two South Koreans and 15 Russian crew members on board a Russian fishing boat have been detained in North Korea after the vessel went adrift last week near the inter-Korean eastern maritime border, the unification ministry said Wednesday.



They are staying at a hotel in the North Korean port city of Wonsan, and are in good health, according to the ministry.



The 300-ton vessel, XIANG HAI LIN 8, set sail July 16 from the South's eastern port of Sokcho and was on its way to Russia's eastern port city of Zarubino. The ship, owned by Russia's Northeast Fishery Company, is also being held by North Korea.



A mechanical problem left the ship adrift in waters off the North's eastern coast the day after it set sail. North Korean authorities then identified the ship and towed it to the nearby port of Wonsan, the ministry said.



The two Koreans were in their 50s and 60s and boarded the ship to visit Russia as fishery inspection experts.



The South Korean ministry contacted the inter-Korean liaison office immediately after being notified of the incident. The South also requested the North take appropriate steps for the two South Koreans to return safely. However, the North has yet to deliver any concrete response to the request.



As the ship is a Russian-flagged vessel, the South Korean authorities have teamed up with Russian diplomatic officials to remain updated on the issue, a ministry official said.



"North Korea is questioning the two Koreans to get detailed accounts of the incident, but they are staying safely at a hotel," the official said.



"Following the incident, consular officials from the Russian Embassy in North Korea made their way to the scene and looked into the details regarding the case," he said.



The Russian Embassy said the North detained 17 people for "violating entry regulations."



North Korea has not issued any statements or announcements over the incident, so as of now, the ministry is relying on the Russian diplomatic channel for updated information, the ministry said.



It added that the government will keep in close contact with the Russian authorities and North Korean communication channels to guarantee the safety of the South Korean nationals.



It remains to be seen when the North will reply to the South's request, but as of now, the government is relying on diplomatic cooperation with Russia.

