ID :
76412
Fri, 08/21/2009 - 19:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/76412
The shortlink copeid
Seoul urges North to release detained fishermen
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details at bottom)
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday stepped up its demand for the
release of four South Korean fisherman detained in North Korea since late July,
when their ship accidentally strayed into the North's waters in the East Sea.
The four crewmen were aboard a 29-ton squid-fishing boat that was hauled away by
a North Korean patrol vessel on July 30 to an eastern port in the communist
country after it strayed 13km beyond the inter-Korean maritime border.
"We again demand that North Korea send back the fishermen and the ship on
humanitarian grounds," said Chun Hae-sung, adding that Seoul plans to deliver an
official request through a military communication line.
Chun's comment comes in light of what appears to be thawing ties between the two
Koreas. A North Korean delegation comprised of high-level figures is due in Seoul
later in the day to pay respects to late President Kim Dae-jung, who died Tuesday
after a long battle with pneumonia.
On a separate track, Seoul proposed holding talks next week to prepare for
inter-Korean family reunions which Pyongyang recently agreed to after a long
suspension.
North Korea also announced on Thursday that it completely normalized cross-border
traffic for South Korean workers and cargo trains, lifting bans it has imposed
since December to protest Seoul's hard-line policy.
North Korea repeated, however, that it was still "investigating" the ship's crew
and the incident, according to Chun.
The spokesman said that at the moment he could not reveal which government
official will be receiving the North Korean delegation when it arrives at an
airport in western Seoul. He added that Seoul officials currently have no plans
to meet with the group.
Regarding North Korea's normalization of inter-Korean traffic, Chun said that the
government sees the move as "fortunate," noting that its suspension had brought
about a "deterioration" in the countries' relations.
"Such incidents should not be repeated and the government will prepare systematic
measures to prevent similar events from happening in the future."
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday stepped up its demand for the
release of four South Korean fisherman detained in North Korea since late July,
when their ship accidentally strayed into the North's waters in the East Sea.
The four crewmen were aboard a 29-ton squid-fishing boat that was hauled away by
a North Korean patrol vessel on July 30 to an eastern port in the communist
country after it strayed 13km beyond the inter-Korean maritime border.
"We again demand that North Korea send back the fishermen and the ship on
humanitarian grounds," said Chun Hae-sung, adding that Seoul plans to deliver an
official request through a military communication line.
Chun's comment comes in light of what appears to be thawing ties between the two
Koreas. A North Korean delegation comprised of high-level figures is due in Seoul
later in the day to pay respects to late President Kim Dae-jung, who died Tuesday
after a long battle with pneumonia.
On a separate track, Seoul proposed holding talks next week to prepare for
inter-Korean family reunions which Pyongyang recently agreed to after a long
suspension.
North Korea also announced on Thursday that it completely normalized cross-border
traffic for South Korean workers and cargo trains, lifting bans it has imposed
since December to protest Seoul's hard-line policy.
North Korea repeated, however, that it was still "investigating" the ship's crew
and the incident, according to Chun.
The spokesman said that at the moment he could not reveal which government
official will be receiving the North Korean delegation when it arrives at an
airport in western Seoul. He added that Seoul officials currently have no plans
to meet with the group.
Regarding North Korea's normalization of inter-Korean traffic, Chun said that the
government sees the move as "fortunate," noting that its suspension had brought
about a "deterioration" in the countries' relations.
"Such incidents should not be repeated and the government will prepare systematic
measures to prevent similar events from happening in the future."
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
