North Korea sieze South Korean fishing vessel and crew

Coriolanus

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jjz-1FsdSMQjYDWp3qoa60B4b_jwD9HFBE4G1

NKorea seizes SKorean fishing boat amid tension

By KWANG-TAE KIM (AP) – 1 hour ago

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean authorities seized a South Korean fishing boat and its crew Sunday in waters off the divided peninsula's eastern coast, the South's coast guard said amid heightened tensions over the sinking of a southern navy ship.

Four South Korean and three Chinese fishermen were questioned for an alleged violation of the North's exclusive economic zone, South Korea's coast guard said in a statement. It said the fishing boat was being taken toward the North Korea's eastern port of Songjin.

A South Korean fisherman told South Korea via a satellite phone that his boat was being towed by a North Korean patrol, according to the coast guard.

The coast guard said it was not clear where exactly the 41-ton fishing boat was operating when it was seized. The boat departed South Korea's southeastern port of Pohang on Aug. 1 and was scheduled to return home on September 10.

South Korea called on the North to quickly return the fishing boat and its crew. However, the prospect of their quick return is being complicated because of tension over the March sinking of a South Korean warship off the western coast blamed on North Korea.

South Korea also conducted naval drills off the western coast, including areas near the two countries' disputed sea border. The exercises, which end Monday, were aimed at strengthening South Korea's ability to counter any North Korean provocations.

North Korea — which has denied involvement in the sinking — warned last week it would "counter the reckless naval firing projected by the group of traitors with strong physical retaliation" and advised civilian ships to stay away from the maritime border.

Maritime incidents involving fishing boats and other commercial vessels occur from time to time between the two Koreas. While most are resolved amicably, the rival navies engaged in three deadly skirmishes near their disputed western sea border in 1999, 2002 and November last year.

Last August, North Korea freed four South Korean fishermen after detaining them for a month for illegally entering North Korean waters.

Kim Yong-hyun, an expert on North Korean affairs at Seoul's Dongguk University, said the North may release the fishermen within a month after its investigation, since their boat appeared to have accidentally strayed into the North's waters.

"South Korea should use the issue as a lubricant to improve relations with North Korea by actively seeking their quick return," Kim said. He also noted that North Korea should quickly free the fishermen because a prolonged detention could worsen ties with South Korea at a time when the North may need food aid from the South.

Only a matter of time before it heats up. I just hope China and the US can keep their input to a minimum.

kev9100

At times like these, I am so happy George Bush is no longer President.

DerekDGoldfish

kev9100 wrote: »

At times like these, I am so happy George Bush is no longer President.

Thats what "THEY" want you to think

fontanalis

kev9100 wrote: »

At times like these, I am so happy George Bush is no longer President.

I know, the change has been blinding.

starbelgrade

-Insert Dogfish joke here-

Sea Sharp

I can see it now: Call of Duty Korea II - Fcuk yeah!!!

DerekDGoldfish

Sea Sharp wrote: »

I can see it now: Call of Duty Korea II - Fcuk yeah!!!

I reckon the level where you have to massacre the North Korean world cup squad is going to cause a lot of controvosy

AckwelFoley

One asian country steals a boat load of fish and asians, and AH manages to bring George bush into it within one post.

New Record

Einhard

snyper wrote: »

One asian country steals a boat load of fish and asians, and AH manages to bring George bush into it within one post.

New Record

Surely you know by now that, no matter what the likes of Kim Jong-Il do, it's all America's fault at the end of the day.

orourkeda

kev9100 wrote: »

At times like these, I am so happy George Bush is no longer President.

Anyone would think the sun shines out of Barack Obamas arse.

gizmo

snyper wrote: »

One asian country steals a boat load of fish and asians, and AH manages to bring George bush into it within one post.

New Record

Pfft, I'm just waiting on someone to bring our own government into it.

orourkeda

Einhard wrote: »

Surely you know by now that, no matter what the likes of Kim Jong-Il do, it's all America's fault at the end of the day.

Sorry had to be done.

47

Theres going to be **** with north and south korea soon its inevitable..will make for some good viewing on the various news channels.

ElaElaElano

North Korean version of events:

Loyal people of People's Republic of Korea, we are delighted to announce the purchase by great heroic leader KIM JONG-IL of brand new fishing boat for benefit glorious nation of People's Republic of Korea. We have acquired boat as result of prize fund received for heroic World Cup victory of People's Republic of Korea football team. The undemocratic fascist state of South Korea say we steal it, they lie. They liars.

andrew

Christ, North Korea are such dickheads.

Overheal

47 wrote: »

Theres going to be **** with north and south korea soon its inevitable..will make for some good viewing on the various news channels.

This has been the situation for decades though. A few fisherman are not going to be the final straw. Relations are tense; not fragile.

andrew

North Korean soldiers killed a guy with an Axe this one time too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axe_murder_incident

Especially read the bit about 'Operation Paul Bunyan.'

Einhard

Overheal wrote: »

This has been the situation for decades though. A few fisherman are not going to be the final straw. Relations are tense; not fragile.

Kim Jong-Il and his cronies have far too much to lose by going to war. They'll just keep on sabre rattling and testing the waters in order to keep the international community on its toes, and to portray themselves to their own cowed masses as standing up to "aggression".

Biggins

DerekDGoldfish wrote: »

I reckon the level where you have to massacre the North Korean world cup squad is going to cause a lot of controvosy

...Speaking of which: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/29072010/58/world-cup-2010-north-korean-flops-shamed-public.html

Wayne Rooney and his ilk don't know when they have it so lucky!

ejmaztec

Einhard wrote: »

Kim Jong-Il and his cronies have far too much to lose by going to war. They'll just keep on sabre rattling and testing the waters in order to keep the international community on its toes, and to portray themselves to their own cowed masses as standing up to "aggression".

..and the free aid that they'll get again will also be handy, because the arseholes running NK can't be arsed providing for their own people.

bobblepuzzle

They have huge 10 lane freeways and no cars

This documentary is good:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQXfMMHV8FM

47

Overheal wrote: »

This has been the situation for decades though. A few fisherman are not going to be the final straw. Relations are tense; not fragile.

Tense is an uderstatment...

bobblepuzzle

I'd love the Americans and ROK to kill Kim Jong Ill tbh, absolute tosser

darkman2

North Korea has better roads then us.:pac:

SEPT 23 1989

kim jong il is a paranoid,drunk midgit and really hope our talented friend from xpose does not mind me saying that