South Korea’s unification ministry said it is “uncommon” for North Korean defectors to face legal action over the transfer of small sums of money to family members in the DPRK, after police probes raised concerns among escapees about their ability to send such remittances.

The statement in response to NK News questions reasserted the government’s long-standing position of allowing the money transfers on humanitarian grounds, while suggesting that the ministry opposes the police investigations.

NK News previously confirmed that at least two South Korean police agencies have recently investigated defectors over money transfers to family members, causing unrest and confusion