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.
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