N. Korean soldier in S. Korea after boat drifts south: officials

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean soldier who drifted into South Korean
waters off the west coast will be sent back home later this week, officials here
said Monday.

The soldier, whose identity defense ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae declined to
give, wishes to return to his country and is under the custody of South Korean
intelligence authorities.
"He was fishing on a boat when he crossed the maritime border," another official
said, speaking on condition of anonymity and adding his rank was equivalent to a
sergeant first class in the South.
Won and the official said the soldier will be returned later this week through
the United Nations command overseeing the truce that ended the 1950-53 Korean
War.
Tension remains high in the Yellow Sea after the navies of the Koreas briefly
exchanged gunfire near the border on Nov. 10.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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