Is There a Chinese Secret Police Station in Korea? Government Begins Fact-Finding Investigation

Secret Police Stations Established in Areas with Many Chinese Residents... One Known Location in Korea
Could Escalate into Diplomatic Issue if Secret Police Stations Confirmed

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amid revelations by an overseas human rights organization that China operates around 100 secret police stations worldwide to repatriate dissidents, it has been reported that there is one secret police station in South Korea as well, prompting the government to begin fact-finding efforts. If true, this could escalate into a diplomatic issue between the two countries.

At a regular briefing on the 20th, Lim Soo-seok, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated regarding the investigation into the allegations of China’s secret police stations, "Regarding the activities of foreign agencies within the country, we are communicating with several related countries to ensure that such activities are conducted based on domestic and international norms." Although he did not specifically mention whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other related government departments have been mobilized to investigate, considering that governments of various countries are conducting investigations one after another, it appears that our government is also in the process of fact-finding.

The international human rights organization 'Safeguard Defenders' revealed that China operates 102 secret police stations called 'Overseas 110 Service Stations' in 53 countries worldwide. These police stations are responsible for pressuring Chinese dissidents who have fled abroad to return to their home country, and it is known that one such station is installed in South Korea. Following this revelation, countries including the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada immediately launched investigations, with the Netherlands closing two stations last month.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chinese authorities acknowledge the existence of these stations but claim they are not secret police stations. They argue that these locations merely provide services such as driver's license renewals and local housing registrations for their nationals, replacing embassies and consulates that were closed due to COVID-19. However, even this constitutes a violation of the Vienna Convention, which prohibits consular activities outside officially approved diplomatic missions.

The government has so far taken a cautious stance, stating, "There is nothing specific to mention at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs level," but if investigations confirm the existence of these secret police stations, it could escalate into a diplomatic issue between the two countries. The recent resumption of Korean dramas airing in China and signs of lifting the 'Hanhanryeong' (Korean Wave ban) had raised hopes for improved bilateral relations, which may now freeze again.

In the political sphere, voices calling for a tough response to China are emerging. Yoo Sang-beom, the ruling party's secretary of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, said at a party strategy meeting on the 9th, "Activities conducted outside diplomatic missions without going through the host country's government constitute serious interference and violation of internal affairs," adding, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related departments must immediately verify the facts, close the stations once confirmed, and hold China strongly accountable."

If secret police stations do exist, where might they be located? The report by the organization only mentions that there is one secret police station in South Korea but does not specify its exact location. However, they are generally established in areas with large Chinese populations. In Japan, for example, one station is reportedly operated by the Public Security Bureau of Fujian Province in Tokyo.

Within South Korea, the local government with the largest Chinese population is Gyeonggi Province. According to Statistics Korea, as of last year, there were 119,025 ethnic Koreans from China and 51,005 Chinese nationals, accounting for 47% of the total foreign population (360,412) in Gyeonggi Province. Next is Seoul, with 79,337 ethnic Koreans from China and 49,783 Chinese nationals, making up 57% of the total foreign population (226,569) in Seoul. In Incheon, the numbers are 17,269 ethnic Koreans from China and 10,423 Chinese nationals, respectively.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.