South Korean Government Authorizes DNA Testing on North Korean Bodies Not Taken Over

In case North Korea does not take over North Korean bodies found in our waters, the government has decided to conduct DNA tests before cremation for future family relationship verification.

The Ministry of Unification announced on the 5th to revise the Prime Minister’s North Korean Resident Corpse Handling Guidelines and will collect public opinions until the 26th during the administrative announcement period.

The Ministry of Unification explained that the government has only conducted DNA tests for separated families. Still, they have expanded the target to North Korean bodies regarding humanitarianism, compatriotism, and human rights.

The government has so far collected and handed over the North Korean bodies that have drifted to the South due to floods and other disasters to North Korea. Still, they have not been responding to the takeover as interrelations have recently been strained.

Since 2010, out of a total of 29 bodies, North Korea has taken over 23 bodies and has not taken over 6 bodies.

The Ministry of Unification stated, “North Korea has consistently been unresponsive to our side’s notification through the media regarding North Korean bodies that occurred after the disconnection of inter-Korean communication lines in April 2023,” and “We judged that a DNA test is necessary before cremation for future family relationship verification in the case of bodies that North Korea did not take over, so we decided to revise the relevant guidelines.”