63 communist prisoners to return to N.K.

A final agreement has been reached on the repatriation of unrepentant Communist prisoners to North Korea September 2.

The Unification Ministry said August 23 that North Korea has agreed to accept all 63 unconverted long-term prisoners on the list that Seoul sent to it via the Panmunjeom liaison offices.

However, North Korea did not make any references to prisoners who have renounced communism nor the relatives of the soon-to-be repatriated ex-convicts.

The North and South will make arrangements regarding specific repatriation procedures by August 28 through Panmunjeom.

Moon Chul fullmoon@donga.com