North Korea released four South Korean fishermen Saturday, ending 30 days of detention for "intruding into its territorial waters" ― the latest development in a series of Pyongyang's "charm offensive" to mend relations with Seoul, Yonhap News Agency said.
North Korea set free the Southern fishing boat, the Yeonan-ho, at the eastern sea border at 5 p.m., South Korea's maritime police said in a news release, in a move that cleared a major obstacle in inter-Korean relations.
"While the release was delayed, we feel relieved that they are returning home safely," a South Korean government official said, requesting that he remain anonymous.
Escorted by two maritime police patrol boats, the fishing boat, sailing under its own power, arrived at the eastern port city of Sokcho after more than three hours due to the high sea waves, police said.
Maritime police said the four fishermen received a preliminary medical checkup on the way but did not disclose their health conditions.
The fishermen were seized July 30 after their boat strayed into North Korean waters after its satellite navigation system malfunctioned, according to an earlier police announcement.