351 South Korean POWs alive in NK

The National Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that there are a total of 351 South Korean prisoners of war (1950-1953 Korean War) in North Korea. The figure was estimated on the basis of testimonies given by three ex-South Korean prisoners of war who recently defected to the South, the ministry said.

The ministry said that the estimated number of the POWs in the North has increased by eight from the 343 originally estimated, in accordance with the testimonies provided by the war prisoners.

The defense ministry, holding a meeting of the committee on measures for Armed Forces` POWs held in the North and those missing in action, decided to upgrade all of the three defectors to the rank of staff sergeant and give accumulated salaries and 350 million won to each as housing subsidies. At the same time, they will be accorded restoration of their original military status and family register as well as issued a certificate of residence.

Of the three, one who was a corporal and one who was a sergeant at the time of the Korean War will be discharged in ceremonies to be held at the Capital Defense Corps and the Third Army Division on September 6 and 7, respectively, and the remaining one who was first-class will be discharged within the month.