The Unification Ministry has sent a message to the North Korean Red Cross that the nine North Koreans who crossed the maritime border to the South last week can decide on their own whether they will stay in the South.

The ministry added on Friday that all nine people expressed their intentions to defect to the South.

The South's message to the North is a reply to the North's Red Cross that called for the prompt return of the group and the boat they traveled on. The North said in a telephone message that inter-Korean relations will worsen unless the South repatriates the nine North Koreans.

In February, 31 North Koreans crossed the maritime border by boat and all but four returned to the North. In that particular situation, North Korea consistently demanded the return of all 31 individuals aboard the vessel.