Japanese media say the nine North Korean escapees who arrived in Japan on a wooden boat last Tuesday are expected to be sent to South Korea as early as this week.

Japanese dailies Yomiuri and Sankei reported the customs bureau of Japan’s Justice Ministry officially allowed the escapees entry into Japan for their temporary protection on Friday. The group has expressed its wishes to be sent to South Korea during consultations with Seoul.

The North Koreans are known to be in good health in Japan as they watch news coverage related to their story or play games like trump.