North Korean Resident's Body Found, Ministry of Unification Expresses Intent to Repatriate on Humanitarian Grounds

The Ministry of Unification has expressed its intention to repatriate the body of a North Korean resident found in South Korea.

Regarding the body of what is presumed to be a North Korean resident discovered on the coast of Seokmo Island in Ganghwa, Incheon, the Ministry requested that North Korea respond through inter-Korean communication channels if they are willing to take custody of the body.

The Ministry of Unification stated in an official notice on the 29th, "On June 21, we discovered a body believed to be a resident of North Korea on the coast of Seokmo Island in Ganghwa and have placed it in a nearby hospital."

According to the temporary identification found with the body, the deceased was identified as Mr. Ko Seong-cheol, born on October 20, 1988, and confirmed to be a farmer residing in Gangbuk-ri, Geumcheongun, Hwanghaebuk-do. The Ministry also explained that military-style padded clothing and a badge were among the personal effects found.

Proposal for Repatriation of the Body on Humanitarian Grounds

The Ministry stated, "We aim to repatriate the body and personal effects through Panmunjom at 3 PM on August 5 on humanitarian and compatriotic grounds, and we hope that the North will promptly inform us of its position through the inter-Korean communication lines." The Ministry explained that this notice was conveyed through the media due to the difficulty of sending messages to North Korea amid the severed communication lines.

According to the Ministry, this information has already been conveyed to North Korea through the United Nations Command, but no significant response has been received so far.

A Ministry official mentioned, "If North Korea does not come forward to take custody of the body, it will be cremated as unclaimed."

This situation demonstrates the potential for humanitarian cooperation even amid strained inter-Korean relations, drawing attention to North Korea's response. The Ministry's actions show that there is still a channel open for communication regarding humanitarian issues between the two Koreas, raising interest in whether this may lead to small changes in future inter-Korean relations.

Image source: Panmunjom area, Paju City / News1, reference photo for article comprehension / gettyimagesbank