The Chinese embassy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday expressed concern over the report that a South Korean fishing boat with three Chinese aboard was detained by the DPRK.

According to Chinese consulate officials, the Chinese embassy and the Chinese Consulate in Chongjin closely followed the report by the South Korean media and were verifying it with the DPRK authorities.

If the report is confirmed, the DPRK should treat the Chinese crew members well with humanitarianism, guarantee their rights and interests, and inform the Chinese side of their conditions, the officials said.

The 41-ton Dae Seung 55, which carried four South Korean and three Chinese sailors, was detained on Sunday by the DPRK in waters presumably within the DPRK's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the east coast, according to the South Korean media.