The Unification Ministry says Seoul will not send back a group of North Korean defectors who escaped through China two years ago.

This comes amid reports that the North requested the return of the 12 defectors as a condition for talks on holding separated family reunions, during the high-level meeting between the South and North last week. 

A ministry official told reporters on Tuesday that Seoul's position remains clear that the defectors will not be sent back to the North as they came of their own free will.

The official said these defectors are known to have settled well in the South according to their wishes.

On whether this stance would complicate discussions on separated family reunions, the official said the meetings are likely to be negotiated as inter-Korean relations improve.

[Photo : ]