South Korea repatriates 6 North Koreans rescued at sea
South Korea's Unification Ministry says a total of six North Korean residents were rescued by the South Korean military in March and May after drifting into southern waters.
All those rescued reportedly expressed the wish to return to the North.
The ministry says they returned on a boat that sailed unaccompanied, crossing the Northern Limit Line, the de-facto inter-Korean maritime border, on Wednesday morning. The ministry says the boat was then met by what appeared to be a North Korean patrol vessel.
South Korea says it communicated its repatriation plan to the North through the United Nations Command but received no response.
An expert in South Korea says it is unusual for North Korean vessels to be mobilized and stand by. He suggests the move may indicate Pyongyang's readiness for limited communication with Seoul.
South Korea's presidential office says President Lee Jae-myung showed understanding about the repatriation.
His administration is expected to seek dialogue with the North.
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