S. Korea brings back remains of fishermen from Spain

SEJONG, July 27 (Yonhap) -- Seven South Korean fishermen who died during pelagic fishing some four decades ago were repatriated to their relatives on Wednesday for reburial, the maritime ministry here said.

The late fishermen had been buried in graveyards in Spain after years of ocean fishing in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has carried out a project to find the remains of the fishermen since 2002 as part of its efforts to commemorate their contribution to South Korea's economic development.

It has repatriated the remains of 12 South Korean fishermen to the country so far, but as many as 317 remains are left in seven countries including Spain, according to the ministry.

The government said it will do its best to repatriate all of them as soon as possible.

brk@yna.co.kr
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