Citizens expressed condolences at memorial altars that have been set up at six of the state-run Korea Hana Foundation's regional offices in the area surrounding Seoul.

Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul also visited an altar set up in southern Seoul.

The government had planned to hold a funeral for them in cooperation with defectors groups but has not been able to do so as representatives of the groups rejected the plan unless the government accepts their demands for measures to better protect defectors.

Announcing the decision to press ahead with the funeral, the foundation supporting North Korean defectors said it could no longer wait for cooperation from the defectors groups.

Han and Kim's deaths brought attention to the harsh living conditions confronting some North Korean defectors here, though the national forensic service failed to confirm the cause of their deaths due to the decomposition of the bodies.

North Korean defectors usually receive settlement support for five years from their arrival in the South, including help with obtaining homes, jobs and education.

Much of the support, however, is not available after the five-year period or after they land a job, which critics say could make those people lacking a social network and job stability vulnerable to poverty. (Yonhap)