Three Chinese fishing boats which have been seized by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for 13 days dock at a port in Dalian city, northeast China's Liaoning province, May 21, 2012. All the 29 detained Chinese fishermen returned home early Monday after they were released Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua]

DALIAN - Twenty-nine Chinese fishermen returned home Monday after being detained by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for 13 days.

The fishermen and their three vessels arrived at a harbor in the Jinzhou district of northeast China's port city of Dalian at about 7 am. They were then sent to a local hospital for a medical check-up.

The fishermen and their boats were detained by the DPRK on May 8. Chinese authorities subsequently demanded that the DPRK ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of the fishermen.

The DPRK's foreign ministry announced Sunday that the detained fishermen and their vessels had been freed.