Seoul: The South Korean government has announced plans to repatriate six North Koreans who were rescued from the southern side of the inter-Korean maritime border. The decision to return them via a sea route was confirmed by a government source on Monday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized the urgent need for a swift and safe repatriation, citing the humanitarian nature of the situation involving stranded individuals. The president's directive underscores the government's commitment to resolving the issue promptly.
The incident follows previous cases earlier this year, in which South Korea rescued a total of six North Koreans from their waters. Four were rescued in May from the East Sea, while two others were rescued in March from the Yellow Sea. All individuals expressed a desire to return to North Korea.
Despite ongoing efforts, North Korea has not responded to South Korea's attempts to arrange the return through the U.S.-led U.N. Command and media channels, as communication lines between the two Koreas remain severed due to strained relations. Nevertheless, the South Korean government plans to proceed with the repatriation, potentially as soon as this week, contingent on favorable weather conditions.
The government has opted for a sea route for the repatriation, avoiding the land route through the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom, which would necessitate U.N. Command supervision and is not favored for unilateral actions. The plan may involve using the same wooden boats in which the North Koreans were found, to navigate across the Northern Limit Line, similar to a 2017 repatriation operation.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung confirmed the repatriation plans, noting President Lee's stance on respecting the wishes of the stranded individuals if no complications arise. Kang highlighted the humanitarian perspective of allowing the individuals to return to their families and livelihoods in the North if they simply drifted across the Military Demarcation Line.
Kang also remarked on the premature release of this information, expressing personal regret that the news emerged before the repatriation could be executed.