N. Korea seizes boat from South

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea seized a fishing boat from the South today after it accidentally strayed into the North’s waters, officials said, amid tensions on the peninsula over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs.

Seoul asked the North to quickly release the fishing boat and the four crew members, a Unification Ministry spokeswoman said.

The official, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, said the boat was taken to North Korea’s eastern port of Jangjon.

Relations between the two Koreas deteriorated last year after a pro-U.S., conservative government took office in Seoul, advocating a tougher policy on the North. In retaliation, Pyongyang cut off ties and halted all major joint projects except a joint industrial complex located just across the border in North Korea.