South Korea asks North Korea for help with finding missing seaman near border

South Korea has formally asked North Korea for help in finding a navy seaman who went missing near their heavily fortified border on the east coast. The unification ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, sent the request via a text message to reporters on Sunday, as no active communication channels exist with Pyongyang.

The seaman disappeared on July 12 while on coast guard duty in the East Sea. Officials believe he may have drifted north across the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime border between the two nations. South Korea's navy is currently conducting its own search for the missing individual.

"As our navy is currently searching for the missing person, we request for cooperation with the search and return from a humanitarian perspective," the ministry stated. The North Korean embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This appeal comes despite strained relations. The administration of President Lee Jae Myung has sought to ease tensions and foster dialogue with North Korea since taking office last year. However, Pyongyang has repeatedly rejected these overtures, even declaring South Korea a "hostile nation" in 2024.

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As our navy is currently searching for the missing person, we request for cooperation with the search and return from a humanitarian perspective.