North Korea agrees to repatriate 27 nationals

North Korea agrees to repatriate 27 nationals

2011-03-15 21:42:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

SEOUL (BNO NEWS) -- North Korea on Tuesday agreed to the repatriation of 27 of its citizens who drifted into South Korea last month, officials said, the Korea Times reported.

The 27 are part of 31 North Koreans who drifted in a wooden boat across the maritime border in the West Sea on February 5. Initially, North Korea refused to take any of the people back unless it could take the entire group. Four of them — two men and two women — have decided to remain in the South, after a month-long investigation and questioning by South Korean authorities.



North Korea, in a message sent through Red Cross channels, said the 27 should be returned via the West Sea on Tuesday, weather permitting. If not, South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles ties with the North, may send the 27 back overland via the land border of Panmunjeom.




Last week, talks proposed by the North failed to materialize as Pyongyang demanded they involve a reunion of the four defectors with their families. Seoul refused, with officials saying the four could be put under duress, according to the newspaper.

Tensions have been high between the two countries since the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island by North Korea in November last year.

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