South Korea's unification ministry said Monday that the country had resued four fishermen of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) drifting in east waters last week.
Unification ministry spokesman Lee Duk-haeng told a press briefing that one DPRK fisherman was rescued last Friday aboard a vessel drifting in waters off the east coast.
Another three DPRK fishermen, which were drifting into the east waters on Saturday on board another ship, were rescued by the South Korean coast guard.
The spokesman said the four sailors were being investigated by the South Korean government, noting that action will be taken in accordance with their free will following the investigation.
On May 31, six DPRK sailors were sent back to their home country after being rescued by the South Korean coast guard.
South Korea had repatriated rescued DPRK fishermen after confirming their intention not to defect their country.
