'NSO, gov't agencies discuss N. Korean deportation'

This photo, provided by the unification ministry, shows a North Korean fishing boat being towed by a South Korean ship. The ministry returned the boat to the North, Nov. 8, a day after it deported two North Koreans ― accused of killing 16 fellow crew members on the vessel ― back to the isolated state. Yonhap

By Kim Yoo-chul

The unification ministry said Monday its decision to send two North Korean fishermen back to the North was a result of close consultations between the National Security Office (NSO) and relevant government agencies.

“The deportation of two North Korean fishermen was a result of close consultations between the NSO and relevant government agencies as they were suspected of killing 16 of their colleagues. That means they can't get defector status in the South,” ministry spokesman Lee Sang-min told reporters in a regular briefing.

The spokesman dismissed concerns over the NSO's direct involvement in the deportation process as the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the ministry have remained silent over the fate of the North Koreans.

“The NSO led discussions on the deportation of the North Koreans. The ministry handles all inter-Korean affairs and the NSO and spy agency hold the authority to investigate North Koreans who have fled to South Korea. From that perspective, lots of things were considered and reviewed via open communication before the decision,” Lee said.

The bizarre incident drew wide attention from the public. While the North Koreans confessed that they killed crew members aboard a squid fishing boat that crossed the East Sea border separating the Koreas, they had expressed an intent to defect.

Right after their deportation, human rights groups criticized the decision saying an insufficient investigation was undertaken and the decision went against Seoul's international legal commitments.

South Korea's Constitution in theory recognizes North Koreans as South Korean nationals and South Korea usually accepts North Korean refugees following a background check. The groups said South Korea should have provided legal protection.

“North Korean authorities notified Seoul that they were murderers and asked the South Korean authorities to immediately send them back to the North. The NSO ordered this to be done, as the presidential office wanted to use the deportation as a goodwill gesture amid stalled inter-Korean ties,” said an official at the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, adding the party will ask the National Assembly to investigate the case.