Seoul, August 27 – The South Korean Unification Ministry announced on August 27 that it is actively verifying reports claiming that 15 North Korean defectors have been apprehended and are currently being held in China. The ministry stated that it is in communication with relevant defector groups to establish the veracity of the rumors circulating about the situation.
According to a spokesperson from the Unification Ministry, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, the government is working closely with these groups to authenticate the information. The official emphasized that the South Korean government’s stance remains firm in opposing the forced repatriation of defectors to North Korea against their will, in any circumstances.
The reports emerged after the US-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) cited Jang Se-hyun, the head of the South Korean defector group National Unity Solidarity Association, who alleged that 15 North Koreans, who had intended to transit through China’s Yunnan Province en route to South Korea, were arrested by Chinese police in Kunming and have since been transferred to Jilin Province for detention.
The incident, if confirmed, would raise concerns over the treatment of North Korean defectors in China, as Beijing traditionally considers them as illegal migrants rather than refugees. China has often been criticized by human rights organizations for forcibly repatriating defectors back to North Korea, where they often face severe punishment, including torture and forced labor.
In May, a separate incident saw a group of North Korean defectors hold a rally in Seoul’s Myeongdong district, urging the Chinese government to cease its practice of forcibly returning defectors to North Korea. The rally highlights the ongoing fears within the defector community regarding their safety and the potential consequences of being apprehended while attempting to reach South Korea.
South Korea’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of defectors is in line with its policy of providing sanctuary to those fleeing the repressive North Korean regime. The country has been a haven for thousands of North Koreans who have managed to escape, often through a treacherous journey through China, in search of freedom and better living conditions.
The South Korean government’s handling of this situation will be closely watched by the international community, particularly by human rights advocates and diplomatic partners. The US, European Union, and other countries have repeatedly called on China to respect the rights of North Korean defectors and adhere to international refugee law.
As the investigation continues, the fate of the 15 alleged defectors hangs in the balance, underscoring the challenges faced by those seeking to escape the oppressive North Korean regime and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in their journey to freedom.
Keywords: North Korean defectors, China, South Korea, Unification Ministry, Radio Free Asia, Jang Se-hyun, asylum seekers, human rights, forced repatriation, international law.
Sources:
– Yonhap News Agency
– Radio Free Asia
– South Korean government statements
【source】https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20240827002000881?section=politics/index&input=rss
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