Key Facts
• Six North Korean residents rescued at sea were returned to North Korea.
• Rescues occurred in March 2025 in the Yellow Sea and May 2025 in the Sea of Japan.
• All six individuals expressed a desire to return to North Korea.
• On July 9, 2025, at 8:56 AM, they crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL).
• By 9:24 AM, they joined a North Korean patrol boat for their return.
• South Korea informed North Korea of the repatriation plan, but no response was received.
Summary
Six North Korean residents, rescued after drifting at sea in wooden boats, were repatriated to North Korea on July 9, 2025. The rescues occurred in March and May 2025 in the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan, respectively. All six individuals expressed their wish to return to North Korea. They were transported on a self-navigable vessel, crossing the Northern Limit Line (NLL) at 8:56 AM and meeting a North Korean patrol boat by 9:24 AM. Despite South Korea notifying North Korea of the repatriation plan, no response was received from the North.
