The North Korean ferry Mangyongbong-92 left the port here for home Tuesday evening after the transport ministry green-lighted its departure despite finding some minor problems with its safety equipment.
In the morning, the crew of the 9,672-ton ferry submitted to the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry its plans to fix the equipment, clearing the hurdle that had delayed its homeward voyage, ministry officials said.
The ferry will sail back to Wonsan, carrying about 200 passengers, including students of Korean schools in Japan on a school trip as well as other Korean residents of Japan. It is carrying about 100 tons of goods, daily necessities and electric appliances.