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| Ruling Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Rep. Lee In-young, right, joins the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee hearing on Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. / Yonhap |
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul said the government's recent decision to deport two North Korean fishermen was necessary and legitimate during the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee hearing, Friday.
Citing the safety of South Korean citizens as the government's first priority, Kim said the administration had to confirm whether the two North Korean fishermen really wanted to defect to South Korea after they killed 16 fellow fishermen on their squid fishing boat last month.
"Their statements were inconsistent," Kim said during the hearing.
"They first said they wanted to defect to the South, and then shifted their position by saying they want to die in North Korea if they have to."
Earlier this week, the nation's human right groups condemned the government's decision to deport the two fishermen to the North where they are likely to face torture and execution. During the hearing, opposition party lawmakers also denounced the decision based on South Korea's constitutional framework recognizing North Koreans as South Korean nationals and should be judged by the South Korean law.
South Korea's Constitution in theory recognizes North Koreans as South Korean nationals and South Korea usually accepts North Korean refugees following a background check. Lawmakers claimed, therefore, the government should have provided them legal protection.
Kim said, however, the government had to prioritize South Korean citizens' safety first.
"The government has done its utmost to help North Korean refugees' settlement. This incident shouldn't raise concerns about the North Korean defector community here," he said.
Kim also downplayed opposition lawmakers' allegations that the Unification Ministry and National Intelligence Service (NIS) showed differences in handling the issue regarding the two North Korean fishermen.
"I understand there were allegations the ministry experienced a confrontation with the on NIS how to handle the issue, but these rumors are untrue," he added.
"The government came to an agreement with the North on how and when to send these two fishermen back to their origins. Under the decision, the government agencies have worked closely together for smooth deportation."
The two North Korean fishermen and their accomplice conspired to kill their boat captain after they had suffered physical abuse from him, according to their statement released by the Ministry of Unification.
The three killed two fellow fishermen first with a blunt instrument at night from behind, and then did the same with their captain when he was sleeping.
They also killed the remaining 13 fishermen two at a time with axes and hammers by waking them up and luring them out to the deck. The three disposed of their bodies in the sea.
One of the three was caught by the North Korean authorities when they docked at a port near Kimchaek Port in late October.
The remaining two fishermen managed to flee with their boat, and headed south before being detained by the South Korean Navy.
