Seoul:Three former South Korean officials have defended their actions regarding the 2019 repatriation of North Korean fishermen, describing it as a necessary measure to deport criminals rather than a forced return of defectors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Chung Eui-yong, former national security adviser, Suh Hoon, former National Intelligence Service director, and Kim Yeon-chul, former unification minister, issued a statement following their sentencing by the Seoul High Court. The court handed them suspended prison terms for their role in the case, which involved sending two North Korean fishermen back to North Korea after they were captured near the eastern maritime border.
The officials argued that the situation was not a straightforward case of forced repatriation but rather a deportation of individuals accused of serious crimes. The fishermen were alleged to have killed 16 crew members before fleeing to South Korea, where they expressed a desire to defect—a move that sparked controversy as South Korea typically accepts North Korean defectors.
In their statement, the officials emphasized that this case required different treatment due to the gravity of the alleged crimes. The Seoul High Court supported the lower court's convictions, stating that the officials violated the fishermen's basic rights, including the right to a trial. However, it reversed the conviction of former presidential chief of staff Noh Young-min, noting the challenges in confirming his involvement.
Critics argue that North Korean defectors face severe consequences if returned to the North, including torture or death, highlighting the complex nature of defection cases.