26.02.2008, 12:37
Russian ship arrested by N. Korea for border violation may be released Tuesday upon Pyongyang approval Russian diplomats have reached an agreement with North Korea for the release of a ship that was seized by North Korean coastguards, Interfax reports according to Gudok.Ru. According to the source the Lidia Demesh detained on Saturday after it approached the coastline while en route from Japan to Vladivostok may be released on Tuesday provided that Pyongyang approves the decision. Yevgeniy Valkovich, Consul General of Russia in Chongjing, is in the Kimchaek City until the Lida Demesh is released. The Russian vessel, Lidiya Demesh, was carrying material to Japan when it was stopped by the North Koreans near Cape Musudan, three to five miles from North Korea's shores.
As Mr. Valkovich told earlier the ship might have violated the border because of the storm. Another Russian vessel was arrested by the North Korean Coast Guard Service near Cape Musudan in December 2005. The Ternei ship was caught in a storm on its way from South Korea to Vladivostok. The captain decided to seek shelter in the North Korean territorial waters in line with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and informed North Korea of his intention. However, the Ternei was later on arrested for border violation by North Korean border guards. The Russian ship was convoyed to the port of Kimch'aek and released two weeks later through the mediation of Russian diplomats.
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