North Korea on Wednesday called South Korea “inhuman” for not returning three North Korean fishermen who were rescued in South Korean waters two days earlier.

Five fishermen in total were rescued near Ulleungdo Island, three of whom have indicated their intent to stay in the South. The other two said they want to go back to the North.

“Via the Panmunjom channel, we will return the two North Korean fishermen who wanted to go back,” said the South Korean government on Tuesday, adding that the other three fishermen who wanted to defect will remain in the South.

This explanation was