North Korean media runs report on seizure of South Korean fishing vessel

At its 5PM broadcast this evening, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) reported on the 30 July seizure of a South Korean fishing vessel by the North Korean navy in the East Sea (Sea of Japan). This report seems to be the first North Korean media reporting of the incident.

At its 8PM broadcast tonight, the Korean Central Television Station (KCTV) also reported on the incident.

Below is the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) report on the incident that was obtained from their website.

Pyongyang, August 1 (KCNA) -- A patrol ship of the Navy of the Korean People's Amy captured one ship of South Korea on July 30 when it illegally intruded deep into the DPRK territorial waters in the East Sea of Korea.

A relevant institution is conducting concrete investigation into it at present.

So, why is it important that the North Korean media is now reporting on this incident? Because based on the past trends, the public admission of incidents such as this by the North Korean media has always been an invitation to bid for the release by the South Korean government. In other words, a North Korean way of saying that they want to talk to the outside world.