North Korea has demanded the return of two fishermen who requested to defect after South Korea’s coast guard found them drifting in South Korean waters.
 
In a statement on Thursday, a spokesperson for the North's Central Committee of the Red Cross Society said that South Korea was holding the two fishermen against their will. The statement added that strong action would be taken if they were not returned.
 
Three fishermen were rescued by South Korea’s coast guard on May 31 after drifting in waters near Ulleung Island. One was returned to the North at his request, while the remaining two were allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds.
 
North Korea had previously sent a telephone statement addressed from the Red Cross Society on June 3, requesting a visit with the two fishermen at Panmunjeom to confirm their wishes to defect.