Russia

Border Guards Detain Three North Korean Vessels With 262 Sailors in Russian Exclusive Economic Zone

According to the Russian authorities, the trespassing boats and everyone on board were transferred to the port city of Nakhodka.
Sputnik

Russian border guards detained three schooners and several motorboats that had violated the borders of the exclusive economic zone.

The press service for the Russian border guard reported the North Koreans are suspected of poaching, noting that the vessels carried over 30,000 squids and prohibited fishing gear.

"The North Korean fishermen didn't resist during the inspection of the vessels. The detainees were delivered to the seaside port of Nakhodka on Friday. The vessels are anchored at the harbour", a source confirmed.

Border Guards Detain Three North Korean Vessels With 262 Sailors in Russian Exclusive Economic Zone

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the detention, noting that Russia has to actively take measures to address the issue.

"You know that many poachers from the DPRK cross the Russian border and carry out illegal fishing in Russian territorial waters. Therefore, of course, enthusiastic measures are needed to restore order in that area", he told reporters.

Peskov stressed, however, that the case won't affect relations between Moscow and Pyongyang.

 The incident occurred after another group of North Korean fishermen had been caught earlier this month poaching in Russia's exclusive economic zone and resisted arrest. The clash with the armed poachers left four border guards wounded and one of the fishermen dead.

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