SEOUL —
Two North Koreans have expressed their intention to seek asylum in South Korea after being rescued at sea by a southern naval patrol ship.
The two were among the three North Koreans who were rescued last Saturday while drifting off the South’s eastern coast. It is not clear why their boat had lost power.
South Korea's Unification Ministry said Monday that Seoul has accepted the asylum requests of the two who have decided to stay. It has also decided to allow the repatriation of the remaining one person through the truce village of Panmunjom.
The South Korean Red Cross sent a telegram to the North informing it of the decision.
Meanwhile, Pyongyang has sent a telegram demanding Seoul return all three of its citizens immediately.
This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Korean service.
The two were among the three North Koreans who were rescued last Saturday while drifting off the South’s eastern coast. It is not clear why their boat had lost power.
South Korea's Unification Ministry said Monday that Seoul has accepted the asylum requests of the two who have decided to stay. It has also decided to allow the repatriation of the remaining one person through the truce village of Panmunjom.
The South Korean Red Cross sent a telegram to the North informing it of the decision.
Meanwhile, Pyongyang has sent a telegram demanding Seoul return all three of its citizens immediately.
This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Korean service.