Gov't discloses symbol of S. Koreans held in N. Korea

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho speaks during a meeting with South Koreans who were abducted and detained in North Korea at the government complex in Seoul, Dec. 7, 2023. Yonahp

The unification ministry said Thursday it has created a symbol of South Koreans abducted and detained in North Korea with an image of three forget-me-nots in a bid to raise public awareness of the issue.

The move is part of South Korea's efforts to draw people's attention to the long-pending issue in hope of their safe repatriations, according to the ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs.

The ministry said three forget-me-nots each represent South Korean abductees, detainees and prisoners of the 1950-53 Korean War.

ULKIN, a fashion company, plans to showcase clothes using the symbol for the first time Saturday during Seoul Fashion Week, South Korea's biggest biannual fashion show.

This image shows an image of three forget-me-nots as a symbol of South Koreans abducted and detained in North Korea as well as prisoners of the 1950-53 Korean War. Courtesy of Ministry of Unification

The ministry also said it will register the symbol with copyrighted public records so that more people can easily use the image for various purposes.

Currently, six South Koreans, including missionary Kim Jong-wook, are under yearslong detention in North Korea on charges of committing what Pyongyang claims are anti-North Korea crimes.

Separately, the estimated number of South Koreans abducted to North Korea following the Korean War had reached 516 as of the end of 2022, but many of them are believed to have died.

South Korea says 80 South Korean prisoners of war (POWs) in North Korea have fled to their home country since the war ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty.

South Korea estimates that more than 500 POWs had still been alive in the North as of the end of January. Still, North Korea denies holding any POWs. (Yonhap)