[Exclusive] North Korean fishermen rescued while drifting near Ulleungdo... some express desire to defect

[Exclusive] North Korean fishermen rescued while drifting near Ulleungdo... some express desire to defect [Source: JoongAng Ilbo][Exclusive] North Korean fishermen rescued while drifting near Ulleungdo... some express desire to defect | JoongAng IlboJoongAng IlboIt has been confirmed that some of the North Korean fishermen, who were rescued by our military while drifting in the northern waters of Ulleungdo earlier this month, have expressed their intention to defect. As the majority wish to return to North Korea, the government plans to complete a joint investigation by mid-month and then proceed with repatriation procedures for those who wish to return. On the 9th, sources from the Ministry of Unification and the military...
According to the Ministry of Unification and military sources on the 9th, a joint inter-agency interrogation and investigation team is questioning the crew of the North Korean fishing vessel regarding potential espionage suspicions and their intentions regarding repatriation or defection. Previously, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on the 3rd that a North Korean fishing vessel drifting in international waters north of Ulleungdo was towed through cooperation between the Navy and the Coast Guard. There were 6 to 7 male crew members on board the vessel. Some responded during the initial investigation with the intent of saying, "I want to defect," while the majority stated their position to return to North Korea.
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There were 6 to 7 people on board, and they say some want to defect while the majority want to return to North Korea, so it looks like 1 or 2 people will be defecting.