Four North Korean Residents Defect to East Sea... Military "Secures New Personnel at Sea" (Comprehensive)

'Defected' 4 North Korean Residents Defect to East Sea
Military "Tracked Signs and Secured Personnel with Coast Guard"
First Since Forced Repatriation of 'East Sea Defector' Fisherman

On the 24th, four unidentified individuals from North Korea defected by sea near Sokcho City, Gangwon Province. This 'maritime defection' via the East Sea is the first in four years since November 2019, when two North Korean sailors defected by boat but were forcibly repatriated.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that "from early dawn, there were unusual signs near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the East Sea, and operational measures were taken to prepare for various situations," adding, "The small wooden boat, presumed to have defected from North Korea, was detected and tracked at sea using radar, thermal imaging devices (TOD), and other surveillance equipment, and with cooperation from the coast guard, the individuals were secured in the waters east of Sokcho."

The wooden boat used by North Korean fishermen who were forcibly repatriated in November 2019 during the Moon Jae-in administration.
[Photo provided by the Ministry of Unification]

Earlier, a government source told Asia Economy in a phone call, "It is understood that four people from North Korea expressed their intention to defect and entered the waters near Sokcho." The source explained, "The defectors are believed to be ordinary residents, not members of the Korean People's Army," and added, "If it is confirmed that the background of the defection is 'defection from the North,' the joint interrogation procedures will not take a long time."

The individuals presumed to have defected are reported to have crossed over on a small wooden boat whose structure and design are distinctly different from those used in South Korea. Around 7:10 a.m. that day, a fisherman working near Oeongchi Port in Sokcho City reported seeing a "strange boat."

An official from the Ministry of Unification said, "We are verifying the details," but added, "Specific information about their identities is restricted due to safety concerns."

Maritime defections via the East Sea have not occurred since November 2019, when two defecting fishermen entered through Samcheok Port in the East Sea but were forcibly repatriated. The first maritime defection after that incident was in May, when nine family members entered by fishing boat via the West Sea. The defectors at that time were known to be members of two families related by marriage, who stated that they decided to defect due to frustration with North Korean control.

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