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Japan says mystery ship was North Korean spy vessel
Tokyo, Oct 04: Japan has determined that a ship sunk in a gunbattle with its coast guard in the East China Sea last was a North Korean spy vessel and intends to ask Pyongyang for an explanation, the government announced today.
Tokyo, Oct 04: Japan has determined that a ship sunk in a gunbattle with its coast guard in the East China Sea last was a North Korean spy vessel and intends to ask Pyongyang for an explanation, the government announced today.
The ship sank after exploding last December during the gunbattle, and was salvaged last month for further investigation. "We have confirmed that the ship was North Korean," transportation minister Chikage Ogi said.
Officials said the boat contained weapons with North Korean markings, a pin bearing north Korean leader Kim Jong Il's likeness and other evidence.
Chief cabinet spokesman Yasuo Fukuda said Japan will ask for an explanation of the boat's purpose and seek reassurances from Pyongyang that such an incident will not be repeated.
"We will seek appropriate measures," he said. During a summit on Sept 17 with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Kim acknowledged that North Korean spy ships have periodically plied Japanese waters and vowed to stop the incursions.
Both countries agreed at the talks to reopen negotiations to establish diplomatic relations, and are scheduled to meet later this month. But the spy ship issue, and Kim's confession at the summit that North Korean spies abducted more than a dozen Japanese decades ago, have caused widespread anger in Japan.
Bureau Report
The ship sank after exploding last December during the gunbattle, and was salvaged last month for further investigation. "We have confirmed that the ship was North Korean," transportation minister Chikage Ogi said.
Officials said the boat contained weapons with North Korean markings, a pin bearing north Korean leader Kim Jong Il's likeness and other evidence.
Chief cabinet spokesman Yasuo Fukuda said Japan will ask for an explanation of the boat's purpose and seek reassurances from Pyongyang that such an incident will not be repeated.
"We will seek appropriate measures," he said. During a summit on Sept 17 with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Kim acknowledged that North Korean spy ships have periodically plied Japanese waters and vowed to stop the incursions.
Both countries agreed at the talks to reopen negotiations to establish diplomatic relations, and are scheduled to meet later this month. But the spy ship issue, and Kim's confession at the summit that North Korean spies abducted more than a dozen Japanese decades ago, have caused widespread anger in Japan.
Bureau Report