The 9th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters received "118" call (dial 118 for help at the sea) from local fishermen as saying that "an unfamiliar boat" is sailing in the Sea of Japan off the Noto peninsula, Wajima city, Ishikawa Pref., Japan at around 07:25 am today. The Japan Coast Guard airplane spotted a 8 meter long wooden boat carrying 9 people (3 males, 3 females, 3 infants) 25 kilometers west of Tamasu city, Ishikawa Pref. No injured and sick people have been reported. They reportedly said "We came from North Korea."
The fishing boat, when spotted in the Sea of Japan, was sailing with an engine but not equipped with GPS. None of 9 people was wearing life jacket. They still had small quantity of food supplies like rice, pickles, and 60 litters of oil but drinking water.
They reportedly left Chongjin 5 days ago on September 8 for South Korea. However, they came to Japan because of currents in the Sea of Japan this time of year. In the last few years, small wooden boats with Hangul written on them have been washed ashore one after another in the coastal areas of Japan. Whereabouts of passengers have not known at all.
Chongiin, the third largest city of North Korea is known for trading with China and fishing. A father of the family who defected 4 years ago says that we didn't defect just because we had no foods but because we wanted to have freedom.
A leader of defectors said "I am a member of the Korean People's Army (KPA) and 8 others are my family members and relatives." As food situation has worsened this year even in the army, a number of defectors has increased. we all should focus on what the leader of defectors now being questioned will say about his rank in the army, etc.
They have not been allowed to land on Japan yet.
脱北者９人乗せた船、金沢港に到着 Click here to see a video footage of 9 North Korean defectors and their small wooden boat.
The Japan Coast Guard ship carrying 9 North Korean defectors has arrived at Kanazawa port, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
能登半島沖で脱北者９人乗った船確認、幼児３人も「北朝鮮から来た」
9 North Korean defectors spotted off the Noto peninsula
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