By Richard Kim & Yuna Ku | BBC Korean

South Korea has repatriated six North Koreans who had unintentionally drifted into its waters earlier this year, stating that all of them had consistently expressed a “strong desire” to return to the North, according to Seoul’s Ministry of Unification.

The group included two individuals who crossed into South Korean territory in March and remained there for four months—one of the longest stays ever recorded for North Koreans who did not seek to defect. The other four were fishermen who accidentally crossed the maritime border between the two Koreas in May.

This marks the first repatriation under President Lee Jae-myung, who came into office in June promising to improve inter-Korean relations. Although efforts to coordinate the return began months ago, official channels of communication between Seoul and Pyongyang remain largely severed.

A Return Amid Silence

Typically, repatriations of North Koreans are coordinated across the land border after mutual agreement. However, since April 2023, Pyongyang has cut off all communication lines with the South amid escalating tensions. In December, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that reunification with the South was no longer possible.

With formal diplomatic channels closed, Seoul’s Ministry of Unification had to notify the North of its intent to return the six individuals through the United Nations Command—but received no official response. Despite that, North Korean patrol boats and fishing vessels were observed at the handover point on Wednesday, suggesting that a covert agreement may have been reached.

“Setting a boat adrift in the open sea without coordination carries the real risk of it drifting off again,” said Nam Sung-wook, former head of the Korea National Strategy Institute. He believes the North Koreans will now face intensive interrogation upon return, possibly being questioned on potential exposure to South Korean society or espionage.

Propaganda Potential

After investigation, the six returnees could be used in state propaganda, says Professor Lim Eul-chul from Kyungnam University. Their voluntary return, he explains, could be framed to reinforce Kim Jong Un’s regime, suggesting that even those exposed to the South chose to go back.

Michael Madden, a North Korea expert at the Stimson Center, noted the political sensitivity surrounding the incident. He pointed out that the boats crossed during South Korea’s political transition following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, potentially complicating decision-making on both sides.

“Pyongyang likely didn’t trust the remnants of the Yoon administration,” Madden said, adding that both Koreas risked criticism for unlawful repatriation if it appeared politically motivated.

A Divisive Move

The repatriation has drawn criticism from some North Korean defectors and human rights activists. Lee Min-bok, a prominent defector, expressed concern that the individuals were not given the chance to learn about life in the South before being sent back.

“If I could have spoken to them, I would’ve told them the truth about the regime—and warned them they could face punishment just for having seen South Korean society,” said Lee, known for launching anti-regime leaflet balloons into the North.

Lee and other activists fear that the new administration’s pro-engagement stance may stifle criticism of Pyongyang. A bill is currently under debate in South Korea’s National Assembly that would ban balloon launches aimed at the North.

Since taking office, President Lee Jae-myung has taken symbolic steps to ease tensions, including halting loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts along the border—actions he described as part of efforts to “restore trust” and “achieve peace” on the Korean Peninsula.

Outlook: No Signs of a Thaw

Despite Seoul’s outreach, experts remain skeptical about the prospects for renewed dialogue. Celeste Arrington, director of the Institute for Korean Studies at George Washington University, notes that Pyongyang is now deepening ties with Russia, reducing its incentive to engage with the South.

Public sentiment in South Korea also appears lukewarm toward reconciliation, she adds, suggesting that a meaningful thaw in relations remains unlikely.

“There are few, if any, signs of reestablishing real communication, let alone significant warming of inter-Korean ties,” Arrington said.