NK fishermen rescued off Ulleung Island seek to defect, testing Lee administration
Some of the North Korean fishermen rescued off Ulleung Island reportedly want to defect, posing a test for President Lee Jae Myung’s administration as it seeks dialogue with Pyongyang. They were among the six fishermen aboard a boat that the Navy and Coast Guard found drifting in international waters north of the island on Nov. 3. Others reportedly wish to return to North Korea, with authorities…
North Korean fishermen rescued off Ulleung Island may be seeking to defect, raising concerns for President Lee Jae Myung's administration as it strives for dialogue with the North. The six fishermen were among those found adrift in international waters north of the island on November 3. Some reportedly wish to return to North Korea, while others are unsure of their final wishes.
Authorities are questioning each crew member to determine their preferences. Should they become the first North Koreans to defect following a rescue reported publicly since Lee's administration began in June 2025, it would mark a significant development for the South Korean government, which currently favors a low-key approach to prevent provoking Pyongyang and resume talks.
The Ministry of Unification has not confirmed whether any of the fishermen have requested to defect, stating that an investigation is underway. A ministry official told reporters that they cannot disclose details at this stage, following an exclusive report by the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper published on Tuesday. The newspaper stated that the government plans to complete its investigation.
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