VLADIMIR PUTIN has called for “comprehensive measures” from North Korea to stop future incursions after Russian border police were embroiled in hostility with a vessel from Pyongyang.
PUBLISHED: 08:00, Wed, Sep 18, 2019 | UPDATED: 09:47, Wed, Sep 18, 2019
Putin‘s boats were patrolling the Sea of Japan when fishing boats entered Russian territorial waters. The rogue North Koreans were aboard racketeering boats and are thought to be have been fishing illegally. The crew of one North Korean ship attacked Russian boats injuring three guards in the process.It is unclear what weapons were used in the attack.
Both ships, with a total crew of 56, have been apprehended and are being towed to Russia.
The Russian Foreign ministry have expressed concern to North Korea diplomat in Moscow Jin Jong-hyeop.The ministry stated: “Jin Jong-hyeop was told that the Russian side is taking decisive steps to detain the persons who committed unlawful acts.PROMOTED STORY
“We have demanded that the North Korean side take comprehensive measures with the aim to avoid such incidents in the future.”
Putin and Kim Jong-un have an otherwise positive relationship (Image: getty)
Kim has ramped up missile testing this year with Trump talks stalling and starting (Image: getty)
Russia’s relations with the secretive state are cordial, and the border attack is a rare incident.
Russia claim part of the sea as part of their exploration of natural resources as well as fishing.
In August, Kim Jong-un fired two ballistic missiles into the same region.
The weapons were detected by Japanese coastguard who had to warn ships to stay clear of the area.
Trump fired security advisor Bolton, a fierce critic of North Korea (Image: getty)
Trump crossing the demilitarised zone into North Korea (Image: getty)
Trump thought he had succeeded somewhat on this front when Kim agreed to renew talks in June, but that friendliness has subsequently become silence.
Trump even sacked his main security advisor, John Bolton, last week in what looked to be a calming move from the North Korean perspective.
Bolton generally took an unforgiving line on Kim, and now Trump has even accused his former advisor of ‘setting back’ negotiations.
This year alone, Kim Jong-un has authorised seven missile tests all in the last 6 months.
This comes just as US President Donald Trump has tried to calm tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.