NK to use would-be defectors` relatives to facilitate return

North Korea reiterated its demand Monday that South Korea repatriate four would-be North Korean defectors and proposed working-level inter-Korean Red Cross talks to discuss the matter.

Pyongyang said its Red Cross delegation will be accompanied by relatives of the four, who were among 31 North Koreans who were on a boat that accidentally entered South Korean waters last month. The North hinted at using the families of the four to press for their return.

In a telegram to the South Korean Red Cross Monday morning, the North’s Korea Red Cross proposed working-level Red Cross talks at the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission at Panmunjom around 10 a.m. Wednesday on the repatriation of all 31 North Koreans.

“Three (North Korean) Red Cross officials, including its central committee member Pak Yong Il, will bring relatives of the four North Koreans who allegedly expressed an intent to defect,” the North said. “The South also must bring the four people concerned as well.”

In response, the South Korean Red Cross said in a telegram, “We can discuss checking and confirming the free will of the four North Koreans,” making a revised offer that working-level Red Cross officials from both sides discuss the matter at Peace House in Panmunjom at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

A South Korean Unification Ministry source said, however, “Even if working-level officials’ talks take place Wednesday, we will not take the four would-be defectors to the meeting venue despite the North’s demand.”

The South Korean Red Cross also said it will repatriate via Panmunjom at 4 p.m. Monday the other 27 North Koreans and urged Pyongyang to take the necessary steps.

Thus the South’s Red Cross requested the North anew to first resolve the repatriation of the 27 North Koreans while accepting the North’s demand.

Pyongyang failed to respond to Seoul`s revised offer through Monday afternoon, but demanded extended operating hours at the inter-Korean liaison office in Panmunjom, which closes 4 p.m.

lightee@donga.com