Seoul repatriates three North Korean fishermen

(15 Jan 2002)
1. North Korean fishermen in a waiting room on South Korean side of Panmunjom
2. Various of the three fishermen before the repatriation
3. Fishermen walking towards border, carrying bags
4. Various of fishermen standing at border gate and listening to South Korean officials
5. North Korean fishermen being guided by official across border
6. Various of the other two fishermen crossing border
7. Zoom in to fishermen, at other side of border, shouting "hurray for our greatest leader"
8. Fishermen hugging North Korean government officials and receiving flowers
9. Various of North and South Korean officials shaking hands after the repatriation
10. North Korean officials walking across border after repatriation
11. Panmunjom and soldiers
12. North and South Korean soldiers standing at the border
STORYLINE:
South Korea repatriated three North Korean fishermen to their communist homeland on Tuesday, via the truce village of Panmunjom.
The North Koreans arrived at the southern port city of Chinhae on January 12 aboard a Russian ship which had plucked them from the Sea of Japan three days earlier.
When the ship arrived in South Korea, officials say the three fishermen refused to disembark, demanding that they be repatriated to their homeland.
They agreed to get off when South Korean authorities promised to send them back to North Korea following customs procedures.
South Korea immediately contacted North Korea through the border village of Panmunjom and offered to repatriate the fishermen.
The two Koreas remain divided following the 1950-53 Korean War.
Their border is sealed and heavily armed.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...