A small North Korean vessel carrying two fishermen was found adrift in South Korean waters along the east coast on Sunday.

South Korea's maritime police said the boat was spotted by a South Korean fishing vessel, some 20 miles north of Ulleung Island early Sunday morning. They said the two have expressed their intention of returning to the North.

The two North Koreans, identified by their surnames Kim and Rha, said their vessel has been drifting at sea since their engine broke down on January 9.

Police said the pair departed North Korea's Dancheon Port on January 5 to catch crabs and have been drifting for 15 days before being rescued by the South Korean maritime police,

The two are currently in stable condition, authorities said.