North Korean asylum seekers found in South Korean waters

TWENTY-ONE North Koreans including children were found in a boat that floated into South Korean waters in the Yellow Sea yesterday.

They were thought to be seeking asylum from the communist dictatorship of North Korea. The South’s long-standing policy has been to allow in North Koreans who defect and repatriate those who wish to return. The policy, however, has not helped to ease tensions between north and south.

The boat was found off the northwest island of Socheong and was handed over to the navy. The last large-scale incident took place in February when 31 North Koreans floated south on a boat in the Yellow Sea. Seoul repatriated 27 of them and let the others stay.