INTERNATIONAL NEWS

North Korean boat hijacks 3 Chinese fishing boats
May 17, 2012 05:37 GMT

BEIJING (AP) -- State media say a North Korean boat has hijacked 29 Chinese fishermen on three separate boats and demanded 1.2 million yuan ($190,000) for their release.

The Beijing Morning Post reported Thursday that the fishing boats were hijacked in Chinese waters on May 8 and moved to North Korean waters. The paper said the North Korean boat was manned by armed men in blue hats and uniforms but didn't otherwise identify them.

Border police in northeastern China's coastal Liaoning province told the paper they were in contact with the North Korean captors but declined to comment further.

It quoted China's Foreign Ministry as saying Wednesday it was aware of the situation and considered it a matter for the fisheries industry.

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