Government "Verifying the sincerity of 4 North Korean defectors who surrendered via the East Sea"

4 North Korean Residents in the East Sea Express 'Defection Intent' on the Morning of the 24th
Ministry of Unification: "Confirming Genuine Defector Status at the Joint Investigation"
First Since Forced Repatriation of 'East Sea Defector' Fishermen

The government stated that it is currently in the process of verifying the "authenticity" of four unidentified individuals who came down to the waters near Sokcho City, Gangwon Province, North Korea, and expressed their intention to defect.

An official from the Ministry of Unification said on the 24th during a meeting with reporters that, regarding related inquiries, "Since relevant agencies are conducting investigations, it is difficult to provide detailed confirmation (about defection, etc.)," but added, "It is a process of verifying various details such as whether they are genuine defectors and their background in North Korea during the joint interrogation."

North Korean wooden boat found on the coast of Goseong in July 2019 [Photo provided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff]

However, the official drew a line by saying that there is "no information to confirm" regarding all matters such as the gender, age group, or family relationships of the presumed defectors. The government's cautious stance on whether they have defected appears to be because the final determination of defection is confirmed only after the joint interrogation. Although rare, it is known that some individuals wish to be repatriated to the North due to a change of mind during the investigation process.

When North Korean residents defect to South Korea, they undergo an investigation at the North Korean Defectors Protection Center (Government Joint Interrogation Center), where related agencies such as the military, prosecution, and National Intelligence Service participate to examine their defection background and whether they are disguised defectors. The investigation takes about 90 days, and with extensions, up to a maximum of 120 days.

The Ministry of Unification official also confirmed that this defection is the first case of defection via the East Sea since November 2019. At that time, during the Moon Jae-in administration, two North Korean sailors defected by boat but were forcibly repatriated. The Ministry of Unification plans to participate in the joint interrogation to prevent recurrence of forced repatriation.

Exterior view of the North Korean Defectors Protection Center (Government Joint Press Center) [Image source=Yonhap News]

A government source told Asia Economy in a phone call on the morning of the same day, "It is understood that four people from North Korea expressed their intention to defect and entered the waters near the Sokcho area." 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 defection background is 'defection from North Korea,' the joint interrogation procedures will not take a long time."

The Joint Chiefs of Staff also stated, "From early dawn, there were unusual signs in the waters 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 surveillance equipment (TOD), and other monitoring devices, and the personnel were secured in cooperation with the Coast Guard in the waters east of Sokcho."

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

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Unification, a total of 139 North Korean defectors have entered South Korea by the third quarter of this year. This is an increase of 40 from 99 in the first half of the year and more than three times the 42 recorded in the same period last year. This statistic also includes the family-unit "boat people" who defected via the West Sea in May.

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