South Korea says it will repatriate four North Koreans who crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) last month, though whether Pyongyang will accept them remains unclear given an ongoing freeze in communication. 

Seoul’s unification ministry told NK News it would repatriate the individuals “quickly and safely on humanitarian grounds.” The four fishermen were rescued last month after their small wooden boat was found adrift on the southern side of the NLL. 

Following an investigation, the ministry said the four North Koreans expressed their wishes to return to the DPRK. 

However, it remains unclear