N. Korea releases video of 4 among 9 deported teenagers

North Korea said Tuesday that the nine teenagers who were deported back in May last year were living a happy life. Speculation had emerged they were either executed or sent to a prison camp. North Korean propaganda website Uriminzokkiri TV recently released a video showing four among the nine with the title "We have mothers." However, as no video of Moon Chul and Paik Young Won, who were rumored to have been executed, were shown, while the time of video shooting was not released, disputes on the credibility of the North`s reports will likely continue.

"A year and seven months have passed since nine teenagers came back home and are enjoying their respective life," the announcer in the video said. "Moon Chul, Chung Gwang Young, Ryu Gwang Hyuk and Park Gwang Hyuk are attending Yongwoong Hyesansije middle school, and Paik Young Won is fostering artistic talent at a college in Hamheung." "Lee Gwang-Hyuk, Ryu Chung Yong, Jang Guk Hwa and Roh Jong Yong are studying at Geumsongje middle school," the announced added, introducing the daily lives of these four through video.

Experts say that it should be noted that the video was released through a propaganda site instead of the Korean Central TV, a news channel for North Korean people. North Korean people can`t access to Uriminzokkiri TV. North Korea made all nine teenagers appear at the Korean Central TV in June last year, 20 days after their deportation. The latest video was introduced with an explanation that it is the "first" episode, raising possibility that additional videos could be released later.

The press conference will be held in front of the U.S. Congress building on Wednesday (local time) to urge the North to confirm that all nine are alive and to denounce North Korean human rights situation. Suzanne Scholte, chairman of the North Korean Freedom Coalition, said at a phone interview with the Dong-A Ilbo on Tuesday that everything remains a propaganda unless North Korea accepts interview by international organizations on North Korean defectors whose lives are uncertain including these nine, as well as on-site inspection.