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Key Points

South Korean authorities detained six Americans for attempting to send plastic bottles filled with rice, dollar bills, and Bibles toward North Korea. The group was caught near Ganghwa Island, a restricted military zone. Police are investigating but won't detain them further as their actions don't warrant arrest. The incident comes as South Korea tightens restrictions on cross-border activities under President Lee Jae Myung.

Key Points: Six Americans Detained for Sending Rice and Bibles to North Korea

  • Six Americans tried to release 1,300 bottles near restricted border
  • Ganghwa Island is a designated danger zone
  • Violated disaster and safety framework act
  • No ties to civic or religious groups found
2 min read

South Korea: Six Americans nabbed for trying to send plastic bottles with rice, dollar bills to North Korea

South Korean police apprehended six US citizens for attempting to send plastic bottles with rice, dollar bills, and Bibles to North Korea.

"We plan to continue investigating them without physical detention – Police Official"

Incheon, June 27

South Korean Police on Friday apprehended six American citizens who attempted to release plastic bottles containing rice, one dollar bills and the Bible into the sea near a restricted border area in an effort to send them to North Korea, officials said.

The US nationals in their 20s to 50s allegedly attempted to release some 1,300 plastic bottles containing the goods from the restricted area on Ganghwa Island, about 50 kilometres west of Seoul, in early morning hours.

They were taken into custody after a coastal military unit guarding the area reported them to the police and face charges of violating the management of disasters and safety framework act.

The area in question has been restricted to the public after being designated as a danger zone in November. An administrative order banning launches of anti-Pyongyang leaflets is in effect in the area.

Police said the US nationals will be investigated without detention as their actions do not currently warrant an arrest warrant, Yonhap news agency reported.

Police found that the individuals are not affiliated with any civic or religious groups in Incheon and were working to determine whether they have ties to other organisations in and out of South Korea.

"We're going to release them as we believe the situation does not call for requesting an arrest warrant, and we plan to continue investigating them without physical detention," a police official said.

North Korean defector groups in South Korea have released such bottles into waters near the border in what they have described as efforts to send humanitarian assistance to the country's impoverished people.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who took office earlier this month, has ordered measures to prevent launches of leaflets critical of North Korea and punish violators of related laws as he seeks to mend frayed ties with the North.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is such a foolish attempt! Don't these Americans understand how sensitive border issues are? We in India know very well how even small actions near borders can escalate tensions. Hope South Korea deals with them strictly. 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
While the intention might have been humanitarian, sending Bibles is clearly provocative. In our neighborhood, we've seen how religious materials can create issues. They should have coordinated with proper channels if they wanted to help.
A
Arjun S.
South Korea is handling this well - strict but fair. This is how border security should be maintained. We should learn from this when dealing with our own border challenges. No leniency for anyone violating restricted zones!
S
Sneha R.
Interesting that they included dollar bills - seems like they wanted to show off American wealth to North Koreans. This kind of cultural insensitivity is why foreigners should think twice before interfering in other countries' affairs. 🤦‍♀️
V
Vikram J.
As someone from a border state, I can say these actions are never as simple as they seem. There could be hidden agendas. South Korea was right to detain them for questioning. Border security is no joke!
N
Neha P.
While I appreciate humanitarian concerns, this was clearly the wrong way to go about it. If they really wanted to help, they should have worked through UN agencies or NGOs. Random acts like this only create more problems than they solve.

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