Seoul: The unification ministry of South Korea has confirmed its plans to ensure the swift and safe return of six North Koreans who were recently rescued at sea, on the southern side of the inter-Korean maritime border.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry spokesperson, Koo Byoung-sam, stated at a briefing that the North Korean nationals, who were found in the East and Yellow Sea, have expressed a strong desire to return to North Korea. The South Korean government has emphasized its commitment to repatriating them from a humanitarian perspective. The spokesperson did not provide additional details on the process.
The announcement follows reports in a local newspaper suggesting that the South Korean government is preparing to send the six North Koreans back to their country, potentially as soon as this week. The repatriation process is part of a broader effort by the South Korean government to handle such cases promptly and safely.
In previous incidents, South Korea rescued four North Koreans in May who were found adrift in the East Sea. Earlier, in March, two North Koreans were rescued in the Yellow Sea. The government has reportedly informed North Korea of the repatriation schedule and related details through the U.S.-led U.N. Command, although it plans to proceed regardless of any response from Pyongyang.
This approach is not unprecedented; in May 2017, during a period when communication lines between the two Koreas were down, South Korea unilaterally repatriated six North Korean fishermen. The fishermen had been rescued on the South Korean side of the sea, and after their boat was repaired, they were sent back across the maritime border.