S. Korean Vessel Rams into N. Korean Fishing Boat

A South Korean commercial vessel yesterday rammed into a North Korean fishing boat in the North`s part of the East Sea after loading sand dredged in the North. Two North Korean fishermen were reported missing.

South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Ho-nyeon said, “A South Korean vessel transporting sand collided with a North Korean fishing boat at 7.8 kilometers northeast of the port of Changjon in North Korea at 2:25 a.m. yesterday. Of four North Korean fishermen on board, two are believed to be still missing.”

The 658-ton South Korean ship Dongi 1 reportedly belongs to Busan-based Daebul Construction. At the time of the accident, the vessel was navigating toward the South Korean port of Geoje, carrying sand collected near Changjon.

Right after the accident, the Dongi 1 moved to Changjon and its 10 crew underwent questioning by North Korean authorities, the ministry said.

The North Korean trading company Chosun Jinyong reportedly informed Acheon Global of the accident around 8:34 a.m. Acheon is a South Korean company licensed to collect sand in the North.

Jinyong also sent another notice via fax to Acheon that a damaged engine was delaying the Dongi 1’s return.

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