Woman Presumed to Be North Korean Resident Found Dead by Imjingang River in Yeoncheon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The body of a woman presumed to be a North Korean resident was found near the Gunam Dam on the Imjin River in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, prompting police, military, and related authorities to launch an investigation.

According to the Yeoncheon Police Station on the 24th, at around 8:25 a.m. on the 23rd, a camper passing through the bushes downstream of Gunam Dam in Gunam-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, discovered the body of a woman and reported it to the police. At the time of discovery, the body was reported to be so decomposed that it was impossible to estimate the age.

However, the police estimate that the woman is likely a North Korean resident, as she was wearing a badge on her upper garment featuring portraits of North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. The police have requested an autopsy from the National Forensic Service to determine the exact cause of death.

If the DNA comparison results with South Korean nationals also suggest a high possibility of the deceased being a North Korean resident, the authorities plan to coordinate with the Ministry of Unification to hand over the body to North Korea.

Meanwhile, earlier on the 16th, the body of an infant was found near the Imjin River Unification Bridge in Paju City, and on the 5th of this month, the body of a child estimated to be around 8 years old was found at the Han River estuary in Jeollyuri, Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province. Additionally, on the 2nd of this month, the body of a child estimated to be between 3 and 7 years old was found in the mudflats off Gyodongdo, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.