South Korea Sends Six North Korean Fishermen Home After Dramatic Rescue

South Korea on Wednesday repatriated six North Korean fishermen via the maritime border in the East Sea, several months after they were rescued from southern waters.

According to an official from South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, a wooden vessel carrying the six North Koreans crossed the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime border, at approximately 9 a.m. local time.

The boat proceeded independently towards two North Korean ships waiting on the northern side of the border. All three vessels then moved northward, the official reported.

This repatriation follows two similar incidents earlier this year. In May, South Korean forces rescued four North Koreans from a drifting vessel in the East Sea. A comparable situation occurred in March when two North Koreans were rescued in the Yellow Sea. In both cases, the individuals expressed their desire to return to North Korea.

Ministry spokesperson Koo Byoung-sam earlier this week reaffirmed the plan to return the North Koreans safely and promptly, citing humanitarian grounds. Reports indicate that all six individuals had expressed their wish to return to their home country.

The successful repatriation marks another instance of inter-Korean cooperation on humanitarian issues, despite ongoing tensions between the two nations. (Yonhap)