South Korea: Presidential office condemns repatriation of North Korean fishermen in 2019

In light of a recent probe that would again look into a case involving two North Korean fishermen back in 2019, the South Korean presidential office condemned the repatriation efforts. The presidential office also pledged to find out the truth behind the decision.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s spokesperson Kang In-sun said the decision to repatriate two North Korean fishermen back in 2019 amounted to a “crime against humanity.”

The criticism comes as the Seoul Unification Ministry, which oversees relations with North Korea, released the photos of the two men being forcibly dragged across the border.

“If they were forcibly repatriated to the North even when they expressed their will to defect, it’s a crime against humanity that violated both international law and the constitution,” said Kang, adding that Yoon’s administration will be committed to finding out the truth behind the decision.

This also comes at a time when South Korean prosecutors reopened the investigation into the case that occurred under the government of former President Moon Jae-in.

At the time, the previous administration referred to the fishermen as “dangerous criminals” that could potentially undermine the safety of South Koreans as they allegedly killed their colleagues in a shipboard brawl over an abusive captain crossing the sea border.

Opposition lawmaker Yoon Kun-young, who served as the situation room chief under Moon, said the decision was legal at the time and was in the national interest. Yoon was one of eight lawmakers who issued a statement accusing Yoon’s government of reopening the investigation to undermine their political enemies.

Efforts to increase security for high-profile individuals are also being made in the country following the fatal shooting of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Seoul’s Presidential Security Service said it plans to strengthen security measures for Yoon, while the National Police Agency has instructed its regional branches to increase monitoring to guard key figures.

South Korean law enforcement is also preparing for the upcoming Seoul Queer Culture Festival that will take place on Saturday as the US Ambassador to South Korea, Philip Goldberg, along with other envoys, is expected to attend.