The statement said:

We bitterly denounce the hideous crime committed against citizens of the DPRK under the manipulation of the south Korean authorities.

The recent terrorism is a wanton violation of the dignity and sovereignty of the DPRK, an unpardonable grave politically-motivated provocation escalating tension between the north and the south and an unprecedented hideous criminal act of having mercilessly abused the rights of citizens of the DPRK.

We strongly demand the south Korean authorities unconditionally send back the DPRK citizens without delay.

The UN and international human rights bodies should take issue with the south Korean authorities' unethical crime and take corresponding measures for sending the DPRK citizens back to their families as early as possible.