Will Wait Until 3 p.m. for North Korean Resident's Body Transfer... Cremation if No Response

As the government is attempting to transfer the body of a North Korean resident discovered in the West Sea in June, it is expected that the body will be cremated as unclaimed remains if there is no response from the North.

An official from the Ministry of Unification stated on August 5, "We will wait for a response from the North regarding the transfer of the body until 3 p.m. today," and added, "If there is no reply from the North, the government will cooperate with local governments to handle the funeral as unclaimed remains."

On the 4th, US Forces Korea and South Korean troops were on duty at Panmunjom in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. 2022.10.4. / Photo by Joint Press Corps

Previously, on July 29, the Ministry of Unification announced through the media, "On June 21, the government discovered one body, believed to be a North Korean resident, on the coast of Seokmodo, Ganghwa, Incheon, and is currently keeping it at a nearby hospital." The ministry continued, "On humanitarian and compatriot grounds, we intend to transfer this body and its belongings to the North at Panmunjom at 3 p.m. on August 5. We ask the North to promptly communicate its position through the inter-Korean communication line."

However, as of now, the North has shown no particular response regarding the transfer of the body. The official explained, "The body is currently being kept at a temporary mortuary, and if there is no response from the North, the local government will arrange for a crematorium." He added, "In typical cases, cremation is carried out the next day or the day after."

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