N. Korean family defects to South on wooden boat

YEONPYEONGDO, South Korea, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean family of four has
defected to the South on a small boat on western waters and is currently under
custody of authorities here, according to informed sources Wednesday.

The family traveled about three hours on a 2-ton wooden boat from Haeju on the
North's west coast on Tuesday and was discovered by the South's Navy around 10:30
p.m. on the same day near the waters off Yeonpyeong Island, according to sources
requesting to be unidentified.
The family underwent an initial investigation and will be questioned further,
officials said.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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