Japan’s coast guard rescued 26 North Korean crew from a sinking North Korean cargo ship yesterday.
According to the Japanese coast guard, the 6,555 ton general cargo ship Chong Gen sent a distress signal on Wednesday evening near Fukue Island due to a hull breach, which led to water penetration.
sent a distress signal on Wednesday evening near Fukue Island due to a hull breach, which led to water penetration.The ship was carrying rice to North Korea’s Wonsen from Nampo.
All 26 crew onboard the ship were evacuated to lifeboats and rescued by the coast guard. No casualties were reported.
Japan has no diplomatic relations with North Korea, and North Korea cargo ships are completely banned from docking at Japanese ports due to UN sanctions.
The ship had completed sunk by early Thursday morning. The crew remain in Japanese custody.
