Russia summons North Korean diplomat over border clash

MOSCOW

Russia on Wednesday summoned the top North Korean diplomat in the country over a skirmish between the coast guard and fishing vessels in the Sea of Japan.

Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed "serious concern" over the incident to Jin Jong-hyeop, the interim charge d'affaires at the North Korean Embassy in Moscow.

"Jin Jong-hyeop was told that the Russian side is taking decisive steps to detain the perpetrators of illegal actions. The Korean side was demanded to take comprehensive measures to prevent similar incidents," the ministry said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said a Russian coast guard ship detected two North Korean vessels and 11 motorboats fishing illegally in Russian territorial waters.

While one of the vessels was detained, the crew of the other opened fire, wounding four Russian servicemen before it was captured, along with the 11 motorboats, according to the FSB.

A total of 161 North Koreans were detained, including some wounded in the confrontation, who were given medical assistance, it said.

Russia has opened a criminal case following the incident.

Both North Korean vessels, their crews, and 11 motorboats were taken to the Russian port of Nakhodka, where they are expected to stay till the end of the investigation.