|
|
|
(LEAD) S. Korea questioning seven N. Koreans found drifting in Yellow Sea
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Yonhap) -- Seven North Koreans were being questioned by South Korean authorities on Tuesday after they were found drifting south of the Yellow Sea border, officials said.
The North Koreans were detected by Coast Guard officers Monday afternoon and have since been under investigation by intelligence and police authorities, said Unification Ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo.
Both Lee and a spokesman at the National Intelligence Service said they did not yet know whether the North Koreans intended to settle in the South or wanted to return home.
"Questioning is under way," the intelligence agency spokesman said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to protocol. "We're not at the stage where we can say anything about them."
Lee said that if the North Koreans wanted to return, her ministry will send a message to North Korea to arrange their repatriation.
"We have yet to receive any information about the results of the joint investigation," she added.
In September, a group of 11 North Koreans, consisting of two family units, defected to South Korea after crossing the maritime border in the East Sea on a small fishing boat.
But a North Korean soldier who was found drifting on a small boat in the Yellow Sea late last month was repatriated after he expressed his desire to return home.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
|
| |
|
|
Home
