Russian Yacht Seized By North Korea In Neutral Waters

North Korean coast guards intercepted a Russian yacht with five crew members in neutral waters on Friday and escorted it to a port without giving an explanation. The yacht was reportedly returning with Russian athletes from an international competition in South Korea. The Russian embassy in Pyongyang has demanded the immediate release of the yacht and its crew. RT reports: Sportsmen aboard the Elfin yacht were returning to Vladivostok from an international regatta in the South Korean port of Busan, when it was waylaid by what had appeared to be a fishing boat sailing under the North Korean flag. The incident occurred some 85 nautical miles off the shores of North Korea at 19:25 local time (10:25 GMT). According to Vesti Primorye, the captain of the Russian vessel, Dmitry Nazarov, was forced to board the North Korean vessel, while three (or four) other members of the crew locked themselves inside the yacht. The North Korean ship took the Russian yacht in tow and brought it to the port of Kimchaek. Later there was a report that a North Korean coast guard vessel had detained the Russian vessel. Russia’s Emergency Ministry was informed of the incident at 20:00 local time. The [...]