7 September 2010 Last updated at 10:34 ET

North Korea frees crew of South Korea fishing boat

Captain Kim Chil-Ie and his crew were released on Tuesday after being held for a month

North Korea has released the crew of a fishing vessel that it says strayed into its waters illegally.

The seven-man crew was held for a month after the boat was seized off east coast of the Korean peninsula.

State media said the crew - four South Koreans and three Chinese - had promised it would not happen again.

Relations between the two Koreas have been exceptionally strained since the South blamed the North for sinking one of its warships in March.

The South has also conducted a series of military drills close to the border.

'Public support'

Pyongyang announced on Monday that it would free the crew as a "humanitarian" gesture.

The crew and their boat were handed over to South Korean officials on Tuesday at the eastern maritime border.

"I am sorry to the public for causing concern, but I am grateful for the public support that secured our quick return," the boat's captain Kim Chil-i said in a brief statement, according to the coastguard.

Families of the seven crew members gathered in the port of Sotcho to await their return.