Joint Chiefs say vessel was spotted Tuesday; authorities to decide on repatriation or asylum

A North Korean fishing vessel. [Joint Chiefs of Staff]
A North Korean fishing vessel. [Joint Chiefs of Staff]

South Korean military and coast guard forces discovered a North Korean fishing vessel adrift in international waters north of Ulleungdo in the East Sea, and relevant authorities are investigating.

A Joint Chiefs of Staff official said Friday that the vessel was spotted Tuesday drifting in international waters north of Ulleungdo, and that the coast guard was notified and responded. "Relevant agencies are currently conducting an investigation," the official said.

The military is understood to have inspected the vessel alongside the coast guard after it was identified. The military and coast guard subsequently took custody of the vessel and its crew, and are working with relevant agencies to determine the exact circumstances of the southward drift and the vessel's route.

Military authorities said the vessel was found not in waters immediately surrounding Ulleungdo but in international waters far to the north of the island. The Ministry of Unification also confirmed that the vessel had been towed in and that its route was under investigation.

Authorities have not disclosed the number of people aboard or whether the crew members have expressed a desire to defect or return to North Korea. The exact coordinates of the discovery, whether the vessel suffered a mechanical failure, and other details about the cause of the drift also remain unknown.

The government said it will decide whether to repatriate or accept the crew members based on the wishes of each individual confirmed during the investigation.


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