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.
Russia Captures 80 North Korean Sailors After Clash in Sea of Japan
Three Russian border patrol guards wounded in clash over fishing
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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