The Democratic Party Proposes First Resolution to Prevent Repatriation of Defectors Targeting China

Jiseongho Prepares Resolution to Prevent Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors from China
Seong Iljong's Resolution Specifies Responsibility of UN and Other International Organizations
People Power Party Likely to Adopt Resolution to Block Repatriation as Party Stance

Amid growing concerns over the large-scale repatriation of North Korean defectors residing in China following North Korea's border reopening and the upcoming opening of the Hangzhou Asian Games on the 23rd, ruling party lawmakers have consecutively prepared resolutions to 'prevent forced repatriation.' This is the first time that the National Assembly has explicitly stated the Chinese government's responsibility and expressed concern over the human rights situation of North Korean defectors, which is expected to put pressure on China ahead of the international event.

According to a compilation of reports by Asia Economy on the 22nd, Rep. Ji Seong-ho of the People Power Party plans to officially propose the "Resolution to Prevent Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors Detained in China" as early as next week. As of that day, it was confirmed that 19 ruling party members, including Rep. Yoon Jae-ok, Rep. Kwon Seong-dong, and Rep. Kim Ye-ji, had signed the resolution.

On the 2nd (local time), at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) summit held in Prague, Czech Republic, Jiseongho, a member of the People Power Party, delivered a keynote speech on the topic of the "Risk of Repatriation of North Korean Defectors in China."
[Photo by Jiseongho's Office]

The draft resolution states, "We strongly urge the Chinese government to allow the approximately 2,600 North Korean defectors detained in China to freely move to their desired destinations according to their own will, in accordance with international laws such as the Refugee Status Convention, the Convention Against Torture, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights." This is the first time the National Assembly has explicitly pointed out the Chinese government's responsibility and called for a change in attitude regarding human rights violations against North Korean defectors.

In particular, the resolution mentions North Korea's recent official border reopening, starting with approvals for the return of workers, students, and diplomats, and points out that "if North Korean defectors detained in China are repatriated, they will face inhumane treatment such as execution, torture in political prison camps, sexual violence, forced abortion, and labor exploitation." It also includes content urging the government to make national efforts to address these concerns.

Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader who joined the resolution, stated in the ruling party's representative speech on the 20th, "Currently, about 2,600 North Korean defectors detained in China face the risk of being repatriated to North Korea as the North Korea-China border reopens," adding, "There are concerns about large-scale horrific human rights abuses. The government and the People Power Party will do their best to ensure their release and free movement to South Korea or third countries."

Ruling Party Lawmakers Prepare Resolutions One After Another... Possibility of Party Adoption

Seong Il-jong, Member of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

Rep. Sung Il-jong, former chairman of the People Power Party Policy Committee, also joined the effort. The resolution prepared by Rep. Sung emphasizes the responsibilities of not only the Chinese government but also related UN agencies, urging the suspension of repatriation of North Korean defectors. As of that day, 13 members, including ruling party lawmakers Han Ki-ho, Choi Jae-hyung, Ahn Cheol-soo, Jo Jeong-hoon, leader of the Transition Korea party who declared joining the People Power Party, and Yang Hyang-ja, leader of Korea's Hope and former member of the Democratic Party, participated.

The resolution condemns the Chinese government for continuing its forced repatriation policy by refusing refugee status applications from North Korean defectors, citing the Refugee Status Review procedures under the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, enacted in June 2012. In particular, it lists related statements by UN officials and concerns from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) about the repatriation of North Korean defectors in China, emphasizing, "We urge the government to employ all diplomatic means, including bilateral negotiations, speeches, and statements by UN government representatives, to ensure that North Korean defectors are granted refugee status or other legal residency status."

Rep. Sung Il-jong emphasized, "North Korean residents are also precious citizens of our Republic of Korea under the Constitution," adding, "The government must take a more proactive stance to ensure that defectors at risk of repatriation secure refugee status and can come to South Korea."

As ruling party lawmakers continue to raise their voices to 'prevent repatriation,' there is also talk of adopting the resolution as a party stance. In particular, Rep. Ji Seong-ho reportedly directly explained to Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok the scale of human rights violations that would result if repatriation occurs and appealed for party-wide unity. Rep. Ji recently delivered a keynote speech on this issue at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) summit, after which a joint declaration was adopted, including an implementation resolution urging each member country to exert diplomatic pressure.

"For the First Time in History"... Ruling Party Publicly Pressures China Ahead of Asian Games

The scene reenacts the Chinese government repatriating North Korean defectors during a rally held in Seoul in 2008. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The Chinese government does not recognize North Korean defectors as refugees but considers them illegal residents for 'economic reasons.' North Korean defectors in China are reportedly suffering from human trafficking, forced marriage, sexual assault, and labor exploitation due to their unstable status. Such human rights violations are passed down as secondary harm, including forced separation from children born in China due to forced repatriation of parents and forced abortions.

If a resolution explicitly stating the Chinese government's responsibility is issued, there is hope that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, which prioritizes 'North Korean human rights,' may adopt a more proactive diplomatic approach. Above all, the mere fact that the resolution is proposed during the Asian Games is expected to exert significant pressure on the Chinese government.

Previously, Japan's House of Representatives adopted a resolution expressing concern over human rights situations in Xinjiang Uyghur and Hong Kong ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February last year. At that time, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested, calling it 'interference in internal affairs.' Unlike the issues in those regions, which China maintains are its own territory under the 'One China' principle, attention is focused on how China will respond to the issue of North Korean defectors.

Rep. Ji Seong-ho said, "It is meaningful that the National Assembly has prepared the first-ever resolution to prevent the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors," adding, "North Korean defectors abroad are also our citizens as stipulated in the Constitution, and I will do my best during the remaining term to protect their personal safety and fundamental rights under the Constitution and international law."

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