Asia-Pacific

Japan releases S Korean fishing boat captain

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-01-14 16:42

SEOUL/TOKYO - Japan's Coast Guard said on Friday it had released a South Korean fishing boat captain who had been arrested after his trawler refused an order to stop in Japanese waters, putting a quick end to the incident.

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The incident occurred on Thursday. The speedy release was expected after the South Korean Coast Guard said earlier a joint investigation with its Japanese counterpart showed the boat was not fishing illegally but that the captain would be fined 250,000 yen ($3,000) for refusing the order to stop.

The vessel was chased by Japanese patrol boats in waters 42 miles (68 km) east of disputed isles, known as Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, before it sailed back into South Korean waters, a statement by the South Korean Coast Guard said.