SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea freed the crew Tuesday of a South Korean fishing boat seized a month ago, a sign that the rivals may be talking behind the scenes to improve relations that have plummeted to their lowest point in years since the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship.
In another indication ties may be strengthening, the North asked the South for aid.
North Korea seized the boat with a crew of seven — four South Koreans and three Chinese — off the east coast Aug. 8. The North accused the crew of fishing illegally in its exclusive zone, but it announced Monday it would free the crew as a “humanitarian” gesture.
North Korean authorities handed the crew and their boat over to South Korean officials Tuesday at the eastern maritime border, a Coast Guard official said. He asked not to be identified because of the issue’s sensitivity.
“I am sorry to the public for causing concern, but I am grateful for the public support that secured our quick return,” the boat’s captain, Kim Chil-I, said in a brief comment after arriving at the port in Sokcho, the Coast Guard said.
The crew members were immediately whisked away by officials for a debriefing, a Coast Guard official said. He asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Tensions have been high on the peninsula after an international team of investigators blamed North Korea for torpedoing the Cheo nan and killing 46 sailors in March. Pyongyang flatly denies responsibility and has warned that any punishment would trigger war.
The North’s rare conciliatory overture Tuesday came days after North Korea requested a shipment of rice, cement and heavy equipment from South Korea to recover from recent heavy flooding.
Last week, South Korea’s Red Cross proposed sending medicine, daily necessities and emergency food worth $8.5 million. The North’s Red Cross replied Saturday that it would prefer rice, cement and heavy equipment to help with flood-recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials are heading to Asia to discuss the impasse over North Korea’s nuclear program.
