Police arrest 3 N Korean fishing boat crew for theft

So, the Nort Koreans are either here to spy or to plunder?

Maybe, they are just trying to exist in a dictatorial regime?

They are brainwashed into thinking JP is the enemy and stealing from them isn't a problem.

If they didn’t attempt to escape Kim would have given them a very very painful long long slow death, but now it will be a very painful long slow death.

So now they have attempting to escape from custody in addition to the other theft charges. The idea that they thought "escape" was even possible on that wooden piece of garbage which couldn't even get them back to NK is really weird.

The idea that they thought "escape" was even possible on that wooden piece of garbage which couldn't even get them back to NK is really weird.

Perhaps they are trying to produce evidence that at least they tried, to prevent harsh treatment when they finally return home.

These guys have some old wooden boats, rather small, so first how could they survive about 2 months at sea as they claim before the steering wheel failed a month ago. That's my first interrogation,

Then they have been kept in custody but on their boat so they could try to escape, Hasn't Japan some immigration center where the country keeps illegal foreigners? Is that sensitive as they are from NK so they let them in the boat?

As the boat doesn't seem to have any roof. It must be cold to stay at night over there

Lucky the poor man can get good quality medical treatment. This kind of thing can build a bridge of hope between the two nations.

I like the words plunder. Since when any foreigners plunder Japan. They come to plunder.

The items the North Koreans are suspected of stealing include a television, a motorcycle and a solar panel.

Hmmm, probably wanted to start a solar panel business back home, typical nk trendsetters, I like it!

If the boat is full of three months' worth of squid, then I hope their refrigeration unit is working well.

Tried to make a break for it? LOL. What in the heck? Try to out run a modern ship in a rickety old wooden boat?

Um, Not to bright these North Koreans. Squid TVs, door knobs and solar panels must be big big seller in DPRK.

So yeah I know. I apologize for being sarcastic. Hope these fisherman get sent home with some food and a couple of warm blankets. As well the steering on the vessel gets fixed. Send a message of hope back with these gentlemen. That fatty dear leader is not being honest with his people. Maybe the Japanese authorities will show mercy and just drop the charges.

zizou, immigration detention centers are at the major international airports, if I am not mistaken. That way repatriation by plane is an option. But without direct flights to Pyongyang, these fishermen may have to be flown to an intermediary country like China. None have asked for asylum to remain in Japan or transfer to SK from the reports we are given.

why are they suspect of stealing? If they took anything to their boat it should be easily found there, they can't hide anything anywhere except on their boat, so or there is material proof of the theft or the locals are accusing them out of hatred.

ZvonkoJonathan

If you had read earlier reports you would have seen that the Coastguard saw them throwing the stolen items overboard.

are they coming back to steal more appliances??

Sheesh. If there were ever a situation to beg the authorities to take you into custody, this would be it. Look at that poor guy's clothes - he looks like Robinson Crusoe.

Japanese Judge: You three men have been arrested, and charged for stealing goods to the value of 8 million yen .... I sentence you to 4 years in our prison, do you have anything to say before I pass sentence?

3 NK fishermen: yes judge, can you make it a bit longer like 6 years? please.

Nice Christmassy shot in the snow, for a second. Possibility of a gesture to DPRK from the Japanese side here, with no expectation of anything in return?

This kind of thing can build a bridge of hope between the two nations.

My guess is that if North Korea reports this news, they'll accuse the Japanese of kidnapping "innocent" fishermen minding their own business.

whew, I feel safe knowing there are three less poor people out there trying to steal my toaster

Japanese prison will be like paradise.

it certainly will feed them better than they have ever eaten since birth, thats for sure

North Korea. What a terrible place because of communism.

their steering wheel failed

Do boats have steering wheels? Are they not called rudders?

And there you have the product of Juche, these poor wretches!

My sympathy for the fisherman, can see from their face the hunger and despair.. i wish their life can be better...

Even though they're weren't right to steal, I feel bad for these men. They most come from some pretty bad conditions and when (if?) they return to North Korea, I'm sure the government will be all over them, "reeducating" them, making sure they won't be saying any good thing about Japan to anyone.

Just look at them. Can someone see their poverty, suffered faces expressions. Can someone look at them as human beings and treat them with compassion ?

They found Terre are things they ca seal in Japan. And jails are comfortable. Japanese police do not torture. They can eat delicious food in Japanese jail, their stories wil increase more Koreas coming to Japan.

When I see them being dragged from their boat and arrested I feel sorry for them. They have stolen but they are also human beings suffering. Just have mercy and send them back. Cannot the people of Hakodate collect some items that they wanted to discard anyway and give to them as farewell present?

Put them in jail, you'll be doing them a favor. A warm place to sleep and three meals a day, they might not want to leave

it certainly will feed them better than they have ever eaten since birth, thats for sure, free food , medical, warm bed , roof over their heads. Itll be like a holiday camp compared to living in NK

13 police to arrest 3 basically homeless men, off to holiday camp they go.

Although Japanese prison will be like a paradise, I'm sure their families will have to pay the price.