'Hard-Won Relationship Restored'... Government Passive Amid 'Jung Secret Police Station' Allegations

"China's Secret Organization Suppressing Dissidents" Human Rights Group Reveals
Confirmed in 3 Canadian and 2 Japanese Locations... Countries 'Oppose' China
Foreign Ministry: "No Comment... Verifying Facts First"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Amid revelations that China is operating so-called 'secret police stations' around the world to suppress dissidents, criticism is emerging that the government is not responding actively. There is also analysis suggesting that the government may feel burdened due to concerns that diplomatic relations with China, which have entered a recovery phase, could deteriorate again.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 23rd, "At this point, there is nothing that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can comment on regarding the suspicions of Chinese secret police stations in Korea," adding, "Since related agencies are conducting investigations, we will first verify the facts and consider necessary measures based on the results."

Regarding claims that a Chinese restaurant in the Gangnam area of Seoul is a 'secret base,' the official responded, "We have no knowledge of that."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Earlier, the international human rights organization Safeguard Defenders revealed in September that China is operating more than 102 secret police stations called 'Overseas 110 Service Stations' in 53 countries worldwide, mainly in Europe. These organizations are responsible for suppressing dissidents who have fled China, and it is known that one such station has been established in Korea as well.

Conducting consular duties outside diplomatic missions without the host country's approval violates international norms and practices, including the Vienna Convention. Accordingly, the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging member states to cooperate regarding the Chinese secret police stations, and the Netherlands terminated its joint patrol project with Chinese police in major cities within its territory.

Additionally, Canadian police uncovered three Chinese secret police stations within their country and demanded a thorough investigation from China. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported on the 19th that it identified secret organizations presumed to have been established by Chinese public security in two cities, including Tokyo.

Our government has also begun fact-finding efforts. The National Intelligence Service is acting as the control tower, conducting joint investigations with the military's Defense Security Support Command, the police, and other agencies, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also mobilized. It is known that counterintelligence authorities strongly suspect a Chinese restaurant located in the Gangnam area of Seoul, but no official confirmation has been made so far.

However, compared to other countries, there are criticisms that the government's response is passive. Instead of making direct statements toward China, the government maintains the position that "verifying the facts comes first."

In diplomatic circles, there is analysis that the government's lukewarm stance is due to concerns about the possibility of diplomatic relations with China deteriorating again. It is also viewed that the ongoing coordination of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Korea may have influenced this.

An expert familiar with diplomatic affairs pointed out, "It is inconsistent for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which has emphasized international norms, to show a lukewarm attitude on this issue." He added, "Although China denies the facts, many countries have already revealed the reality. If a secret organization is confirmed in Korea, we must strongly protest this diplomatic impropriety that disregards the judicial system."

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