Japan Protests Armed North Korean Boat in Tokyo Economic Zone

Japan has protested to North Korea after a Japanese patrol vessel spotted an armed boat believed to be from there allegedly fishing illegally, an official said Thursday.


The crew pointed a gun at the Japanese fisheries vessel, forcing it to withdraw, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.

The incident happened last Friday about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Japan's northern coast in an area Tokyo claims as its exclusive economic zone, Suga said.

Suga said that Japan determined the boat was North Korean by observing and analyzing its crew members as well as other details.

The Japanese vessel quickly left the area because of safety concerns, he said.
 [kyodonews.net/AP]
13/7/17
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