Two seamen who were riding in a Russian fishing boat are being investigated in North Korea as they are detained by the North Korean authorities while drifting into a broken machine on the East Sea.

The unification ministry said it had moved to the port of North Korea on the 17th when North Korea's authorities shut down the ship, "Xiang Haiyin No. 8"

There were 15 Russians and 2 Koreans on board, and two Koreans, 50s and 60s, were reported to be supervisors of fishery technology.

The North Korean authorities are now investigating the incident, and the Russian side has reported that two Koreans are safe, the ministry said.

The South Korean government has requested a safe return of our crew members through the Gaesong Liaison Office on October 18, but the North has not yet given an answer, saying it is looking into the situation.

The South Korean government has announced that it will cooperate with Russia for the safe return of its crew members, following a letter sent by the president of the Red Cross to the North on 19th.

(Photo: Yonhap News)