JCS Returns North Korean Ship and 7 Crew from 'NLL Capture'... "Humanitarian Grounds and Respect for Intentions"

Ministry of National Defense Official Announcement on the Afternoon of the 9th

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The military authorities repatriated seven North Korean crew members and a North Korean vessel that crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea and were captured on the 8th, the next day on the 9th.

The Ministry of National Defense stated, "It has been confirmed that the North Korean vessel crossed the line due to a navigational error and mechanical failure," and "all crew members expressed their intention to return to North Korea."

It added, "Our military, respecting their intentions based on humanitarian grounds and past precedents, handed over the North Korean vessel and all seven crew members to the North side around 2 p.m. near the NLL area."

The North Korean vessel, whose purpose was not identified, crossed southward beyond the NLL despite military warning communications off Baengnyeongdo, the northernmost point of the West Sea, on the morning of the previous day. This was the first time since 2018 that a North Korean patrol boat violated the NLL.

Accordingly, the military authorities captured the vessel, towed it to Yonggipo Port in Baengnyeongdo, and conducted a joint interrogation. There were seven people on board, six in military uniforms and one in civilian clothes, unarmed. It was reported that at the time of capture, they were moving household goods, mistakenly crossed the route, and strongly demanded repatriation, stating they had no intention to defect.

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