World
        

Asia

ROK sends 27 DPRK nationals back home

Updated: 2011-03-27 21:19

(Xinhua)

Twitter Facebook Myspace Yahoo! Linkedin Mixx

ROK sends 27 DPRK nationals back home
DPRK nationals board an ROK's naval vessel upon their return to the DPRK at a naval base in Incheon, west of Seoul March 27, 2011. The ROK repatriated on Sunday 27 DPRK nationals whose boat drifted into the ROK's waters last month, the ROK's Red Cross said, ending a row which threatened to further damage relations between the two Koreas. Four DPRK nationals who had also been aboard the fishing boat decided to stay in the ROK, prompting the diplomatic dispute. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea (ROK) on Sunday repatriated a group of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) nationals whose boat strayed into the ROK's waters early last month.

Twenty-seven of 31 DPRK men and women on a wooden fishing boat were handed over to the DPRK authorities north of the disputed western maritime border at 12:55 am local time, according to the unification ministry in Seoul.

Four DPRK nationals who the Seoul authorities said have expressed their wish to remain in the ROK were not sent back, despite initial rejection from Pyongyang.

The repatriation came days after the two Koreas agreed to the return of only 27 of the 31 people due to bad weather and malfunction of the boat.

   Previous Page 1 2 3 Next Page  

E-paper

Rise and shine

The Chinese solar energy industry is heating up following recent setbacks in the nuclear sector

Bombs aim for regime change
CSI, with a twist
Literary path

European Edition

Specials

Peony express

Growers of china's unofficial national flower are reaching out to europe for help

Tea-ing up

More turning to Chinese tea for investment opportunities like vintage wine

A cut above

The ancient city of Luoyang is home to a treasure trove of cultural wonders.

Beloved polar bear died
Panic buying of salt
'Super moon'