The Unification Ministry says North Korea has requested the repatriation of two North Koreans and the ship they used to reach South Korean waters in the East Sea on Tuesday.

A Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday that the North Korean Red Cross sent the message through the Red Cross liaison channel to the South Korean Red Cross chief on Wednesday morning.

According to the Unification Ministry, North Korea has demanded immediate repatriation citing humanitarian grounds. The South Korean ministry says it is currently interviewing the North Koreans, and it will allow them to choose where to go on a humanitarian basis after questioning.