MOSCOW - North Korean authorities allowed a Russian yacht to continue its journey two days after detaining it and its five crew in coastal waters, Russian media reported on Sunday.
The yacht was en route from the South Korean port of Busan to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East on Friday when it was seized 80 miles (130 km) off the coast of North Korea's economic zone.
News agency RIA on Sunday cited Russia's consul general in Chongjin as saying North Korea had detained the yacht "by mistake."
News agency TASS quoted the consul general as saying a North Korean fishing boat had spotted an image it identified as South Korean on the yacht, which was then towed off to the port of Kimchaek.
He told RIA the yacht and its crew were allowed to leave Kimchaek at 1000 local time (0130 GMT) on Sunday.