The South Korean government said Friday it has been trying to confirm the report by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s state media that four South Koreans are being held in the DPRK for illegal entry.

"Immediately after the report came out, we have been checking on situations of South Koreans in North Korea (DPRK)," Unification Ministry Spokesman Chun Hae-sung told reporters in a briefing.

A total of 1,054 South Koreans are currently staying in the DPRK, according to the ministry.