TOKYO (AP) -- Two suspected spy ships that escaped pursuit by Japanese naval forces have entered a North Korean port, government officials said Thursday.
Defense Agency chief Hosei Norota told reporters the ships were confirmed as having entered a North Korean military port by early Wednesday. Norota refused to disclose the port's exact location "because of security reasons." He did not elaborate.The two ships, first spotted early Tuesday, were chased through Japanese waters for about 24 hours. Their refusal to halt led to the firing of warning shots -- the first since 1953 -- and a Cabinet decision to send in naval destroyers for their first maritime pursuit since World War II.
Japan called off the pursuit Wednesday after the ships reached international waters and headed toward North Korea.