S. Korea urges DPRK to release detained boat

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South Korea is asking the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to release a fishing vessel with four crew members after it strayed into DPRK waters.

Early on Thursday, a DPRK patrol boat took "800 Yeonan" into custody after the 29-ton boat crossed into the country's eastern waters. South Korea claims the vessel's satellite navigation system malfunctioned and has made a formal written request to the DPRK asking for the boat's release. It says the DPRK has confirmed it has received the request and is looking into the matter.

Fishing boats lie at anchor after fishermen stopped sailing out for  fish at Geojin port in Goseong, about 330 km (205 miles) northeast  of Seoul, July 30, 2009. North Korea towed a South Korean fishing boat to one of its ports on Thursday after the vessel inadvertently strayed into its territorial waters, a South Korean military official said.  REUTERS/Lee Jong-kun/Yonhap

Chun Hae-sung, Spokesman of South Korea Unification Ministry said "Our fishing boat has crossed the sea border, but for now, the cause of this is assumed to be due to the malfunction of the satellite navigation system. We sent a message through the South-North Maritime Affairs authorities channel this morning, insisting on the return of our crew and the boat as soon as possible."