Six N. Koreans safely repatriated after being rescued in S. Korean waters

Six North Korean fishermen who unintentionally drifted into South Korean waters earlier this year have been sent back home.

Our Unification Ministry Correspondent Kim Jung-sil reports.

These rare photos show six North Korean fishermen making their journey home.

Despite their small size, these photos show the end of a months-long journey after the fishermen were rescued from South Korean waters.

For their return, the group traveled together in a single wooden boat in the East Sea, and at 8:56 AM, they crossed the Northern Limit Line.

By 9:24 AM, a North Korean vessel made contact with the boat, and both vessels began their journey back to the North.

The six fishermen, in their 30s and 40s, were stranded in boats that drifted into the East and West Seas in March and May.

Since direct communication between the two Koreas was severed in 2023, Seoul coordinated through the UNC to convey its message about the fishermen's return.

While North Korea didn't confirm directly, its actions spoke louder.

"At the handover, a North Korean patrol boat was stationed at the designated point, and the vessel returned under its own power, completing the repatriation smoothly and safely."

The Ministry of Unification verified their voluntary wish to return, with consent confirmed.

Experts say Wednesday's repatriation reflects North Korea's ongoing attention to South Korea.

"North Korea's response shows they're watching South Korea's peace efforts, and if the new government remains sincere, a positive response from the North may not be far off."

This isn't the first repatriation of its kind.

Similar cases took place in 2017, when fishermen also expressed a strong desire to return to the North.

Despite delays, officials emphasized that Wednesday's decision was driven by humanitarian concerns and respect for the individuals' wishes.

A Ministry official expressed hope that better communication between the South and North could lead to smoother future repatriations.

Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.