Facebook
Twitter
Meetup
2017.06.28
| Won | Pyongyang | Sinuiju | Hyesan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | 8,070 | 8,050 | 8,095 |
| Rice Price | 5,800 | 6,000 | 5,900 |
Several of the six South Korean citizens repatriated by North Korea on the 25th had been day laborers in the South, and had decided to defect after sympathizing with the regime on an online forum.
According to the results of an investigation by South Korea’s public safety authorities, Kim (44), Song (27), Yoon (67), Lee (65), Jong (43) and Hwang (56) entered North Korea on separate occasions from 2009 to 2012. Some traversed the frozen Tumen or Yalu rivers during winter, while others jumped off a Chinese river cruise vessel and swam to the North.
The authorities confiscated 96 items during the investigation, including laptops, cellular phones and U.S currency.
Prior to defecting, some of the men were in poor health and were struggling in the South. One reportedly claimed that, “It seems if I go to the North I can live well, and my sick body can recuperate.” Another found his pen name reported in the Rodong Sinmun following a pro-North statement he made online, leading him to believe that, “They will be good to me if I go to the North Korea.”
However, the investigation revealed that upon arrival the men were separated and confined anywhere from 14 months to 45 months in prison camps located in Onsong, Hoeryong, Sinuiju and Wonsan. They were detained at a prison in Wonsan prior to being returned to the South.
The men have expressed disappointment and an extreme sense of betrayal by the North, according to the investigation. One testified that, “Before secretly entering the North, I had a kidney stone. I asked for treatment there but I didn’t get it.” Another revealed, “In the prison camp I remained in solitary confinement for a long time. I was not given permission to go outside even once.”
North Korea also returned the remains of one individual along with the six men. It is suspected that the remains are the wife of Lee (65). During the investigation process, Lee stated that, “During our stay in Wonsan we made a suicide pact. I strangled her and she died. I tried to kill myself too, but I failed.”
Meanwhile, public safety authorities in South Korea are expected to determine whether or not the men breached the South’s National Security Law. The final decision will be based on specific details related to their entry and whereabouts during their stay.
According to the results of an investigation by South Korea’s public safety authorities, Kim (44), Song (27), Yoon (67), Lee (65), Jong (43) and Hwang (56) entered North Korea on separate occasions from 2009 to 2012. Some traversed the frozen Tumen or Yalu rivers during winter, while others jumped off a Chinese river cruise vessel and swam to the North.
The authorities confiscated 96 items during the investigation, including laptops, cellular phones and U.S currency.
Prior to defecting, some of the men were in poor health and were struggling in the South. One reportedly claimed that, “It seems if I go to the North I can live well, and my sick body can recuperate.” Another found his pen name reported in the Rodong Sinmun following a pro-North statement he made online, leading him to believe that, “They will be good to me if I go to the North Korea.”
However, the investigation revealed that upon arrival the men were separated and confined anywhere from 14 months to 45 months in prison camps located in Onsong, Hoeryong, Sinuiju and Wonsan. They were detained at a prison in Wonsan prior to being returned to the South.
The men have expressed disappointment and an extreme sense of betrayal by the North, according to the investigation. One testified that, “Before secretly entering the North, I had a kidney stone. I asked for treatment there but I didn’t get it.” Another revealed, “In the prison camp I remained in solitary confinement for a long time. I was not given permission to go outside even once.”
North Korea also returned the remains of one individual along with the six men. It is suspected that the remains are the wife of Lee (65). During the investigation process, Lee stated that, “During our stay in Wonsan we made a suicide pact. I strangled her and she died. I tried to kill myself too, but I failed.”
Meanwhile, public safety authorities in South Korea are expected to determine whether or not the men breached the South’s National Security Law. The final decision will be based on specific details related to their entry and whereabouts during their stay.
Related Articles
Advertisements, links with an http address and inappropriate language will be deleted.
