The South Korean Ministry of Unification has announced that it is currently holding the body of a North Korean citizen found in South Korean territory. The ministry has requested that North Korea respond through inter-Korean communication channels if they wish to receive the body.
On Tuesday, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Koo Byoung Sam stated that a body believed to be that of a North Korean resident was discovered on June 21, on the coast of Seongmodo Island in Ganghwa, Incheon. The body is currently being kept at a nearby hospital.
Based on a temporary identification document found with the body, the ministry explained that the individual is a male who was born on October 20, 1988, and his name is Ko Sung Chul. He was a farm worker residing at 21-1, Gangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province. Personal effects found with the body included military winter clothing and insignia.
Spokesperson Koo added that the South Korean government intends to transfer the body and personal effects to North Korea through Panmunjom on August 5 at 3 PM, in the spirit of humanitarianism and shared heritage. He requested that North Korea promptly communicate its position through the inter-Korean communication lines.
The regular communication channels between the two Koreas include the Inter-Korean Liaison Office channel at Panmunjom and military communication lines on the eastern and western coasts. However, these channels have been inoperable for over two years due to North Korea’s decision to sever communications in April 2023.
A Unification Ministry official disclosed that they have already notified North Korea of the intention to transfer the body through the United Nations Command (UNC) but have not received an appropriate response. The official explained that if there is no response from North Korea, they will proceed with unclaimed cremation, and that the South Korean government wants to make a final attempt to ascertain North Korea’s intentions through the media before doing so.
Since 2010, a total of 23 bodies presumed to be North Korean citizens have been transferred to the North. In 2017, two bodies, and in 2019, one body were not handed over due to North Korea’s lack of response. The last time North Korea received remains from the South was in November 2019.
On June 9, 2023, The Ministry of Unification also announced its intention to transfer another body presumed to be a North Korean resident through Panmunjom, but North Korea did not respond. During summer months, it is not uncommon to find bodies of North Korean citizens washed ashore in South Korea, often due to heavy rains and flooding in the North.