An appellate ruling against three former officials in the 2019 return of two North Korean fishermen will now face review by South Korea’s Supreme Court, The Korea Herald reported Tuesday, citing sources.
The appellants are Chung Eui-yong, a former national security adviser; Suh Hoon, a former director of the National Intelligence Service; and Kim Yeon-chul, a former unification minister. The three held government roles during Moon Jae-in’s presidency.
The Seoul High Court last week upheld the trial court’s guilty verdicts. It ruled that the officials violated the fishermen’s basic rights by returning them to North Korea. Chung and Suh received 18-month prison terms, suspended for three years; Kim received a one-year term, suspended for two years.
The judges cited the short timeline: officials decided to repatriate the men two days after their capture, and the return followed a few days later despite an official urging careful consideration. The fishermen had been captured near the eastern maritime border and accused of killing 16 crew members.
The report noted that North Koreans returned after attempting to defect are often said to face severe punishment, including torture or death. The appeal brings the case before the Supreme Court.
