North Korean Vessels To Sail Through Jeju Strait

Under the new inter-Korean maritime cooperation accord, the first North Korean cargo vessels will pass through the Jeju Strait tomorrow morning, the Jeju Maritime Police Agency said yesterday. The two ships, reportedly carrying construction material, salt and coal, were scheduled to depart yesterday from the North Korean port of Nampo on the Yellow Sea and reach the Jeju Strait, between the mainland and Jeju Island, around midnight tonight. After the eight-hour passage through the strait, the two ships will sail into the East Sea and reach their destination of Chongjin on Saturday. The two Koreas agreed last week to allow North Korean non-military vessels to pass through the Jeju Strait starting this week. The agency said the new route would allow the North Korean ships to save fuel and travel time.