Ministry of Unification: "Video Exists of North Korean Fishermen Repatriation... Considering Whether to Release" (Update)

On-site Staff Personal Filming Confirmation

Two North Korean fishermen being repatriated to North Korea at Panmunjom in November 2019 [Provided by the Ministry of Unification. Resale and DB prohibited] [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] The Ministry of Unification has confirmed the existence of footage from the 'Repatriation of North Korean Fishermen' conducted through Panmunjom in November 2019. Legal review regarding its disclosure is also underway.

On the 17th, the Ministry of Unification stated in a press release, "Photos taken and stored as records during the forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen were submitted to the National Assembly and provided to the media on the 12th," adding, "Subsequently, some photos showed individuals filming the scene, leading to requests from the National Assembly to review and submit the footage."

Accordingly, after confirming with staff present at the scene whether any personal video recordings existed, the Ministry discovered the existence of such footage. The Ministry of Unification explained, "It was confirmed that one staff member present at the scene personally recorded the repatriation process on a mobile phone," but added, "Since this footage is not an official Ministry-managed record, legal review is currently underway to determine whether it can be submitted to the National Assembly or other parties."

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