South Korea on Thursday sent back eight North Korean sailors who were rescued by the South Korean coast guard in the East Sea last week.
 
The Unification Ministry said that the eight North Koreans and their ship were repatriated at around 9:20 a.m. Thursday. The ministry said a North Korean tow boat and a patrol boat were waiting at the handover site in the East Sea.
 
Earlier on Wednesday at around 3:30 p.m, the South Korean government notified the North of the planned repatriation via the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission.
 
The eight North Koreans were drifting aboard the boat due to an engine problem in waters 48 kilometers northeast of Ulleung Island last Friday when they were rescued by the South Korean coast guard.
 
During an investigation by the South Korean government, all eight sailors were said to have conveyed wishes to return to the North.
 
According to the ministry, the South Korean coast guard has rescued a total of 23 North Korean sailors on six occasions this year. Out of that total, 21 were sent back and two defected to South Korea.
                

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