Government: "Maintaining Contact Channels Is a Humanitarian Issue... North Korea, Restore Communications"

Announcement of Position Following North Korean Ship Drifting
210 Days of Unilateral Non-Response to Communication Channel

The government recently urged North Korea to promptly restore the inter-Korean communication channel following the incident of a North Korean vessel drifting in the East Sea.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Unification stated in a press release, "We deeply regret that the suspension of communication and contact between the South and North has continued for 210 days since North Korea's unilateral refusal to respond to calls on April 7 this year." It pointed out that South Korea has been attempting to make regular calls twice daily as agreed between the two Koreas, but North Korea has not responded.

The scene when the inter-Korean communication channel was activated [Photo provided by the Ministry of Unification]

It added, "As seen in the case of rescuing a North Korean vessel drifting near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the East Sea on the 29th of last month, the communication channel is essential for notifications and consultations regarding ship distress, disasters, and accidents at sea," emphasizing again that "it must never be interrupted under any circumstances." Furthermore, it explained, "Maintaining the communication channel between the South and North is also a humanitarian issue, as it directly relates to the lives and safety of North Korean residents as well as ours."

Earlier, on the 29th of last month, a North Korean vessel drifting near the East Sea NLL was discovered by the South Korean Navy, and the residents aboard expressed their intention to return to North Korea. However, the military could not send a notification for their return due to the severed communication channel with North Korea. Attempts were made to notify through the United Nations Command and the International Maritime Communication Network, but these also failed to reach the North. North Korea towed the vessel away on the night of the distress, and it is presumed that they understood the situation after seeing the military authorities’ statements released through South Korean media.

An official from the Ministry of Unification stated, "We urge North Korea to restore and normalize the communication channel as soon as possible so that mutual measures can be taken in emergency situations."

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