S. Korea to repatriate 6 N. Korean fishermen as early as this week

South Korea will repatriate six North Korean fishermen who were rescued after drifting across the maritime border earlier this year.

In fact their journey back home may take place as early as this week.

According to Unification Ministry Spokesperson Koo Byung-sam on this Monday all six individuals have expressed a strong desire to return home but their return was delayed as North Korea failed to respond to multiple related notifications sent by South Korea via a military hotline.

And now authorities here have decided to proceed with their repatriation regardless of Pyongyang's silence.

The fishermen were rescued in March and May in the West and East Seas respectively.