North Korea promise to free captured South Korean fishermen

North Korea says it will release a South Korean fishing boat it seized six days ago for "illegally" sailing into its waters, state media report.

The vessel and its crew will be released "at the military boundary in the East Sea", North Korean state news agency KCNA reported.

The decision was made after the crew apologised for the "offence", it added. It comes at a time of heightened tension in the region with both sides running a series of military exercises.

North Korea said the release of the fishing vessel, due later on Friday, follows an admission of wrongdoing from those on board, who it said had "repeatedly asked for leniency".

An investigation, the North added, had "proved" that the fishermen had entered North Korean waters last Saturday. A South Korean government spokesman said it was a "relief" that the crew would be returned, reported Reuters news agency.

UCJ, UNILORIN.