The statement said:

We express deep concern over the south Korean authorities' action of persistently keeping the DPRK's citizens in custody and turning down their parents' demand for sending them back.

Such unethical action of the south Korean authorities is an unprecedented human rights abuse. It is a hideous act of touching off the world's protest and denunciation and a mean behavior pouring cold water on the measures taken by the DPRK with good faith to improve the inter-Korean relations.

The south Korean authorities should think twice over the consequences to be entailed by their action.

We strongly call for sending the abductees back to their home towns without delay.