[At the Brink of Repatriation]③ Mere Words of 'Full Acceptance'... Large-Scale Cases Raise 'Question Marks'

Principle of Accepting All Defectors... No "Large-Scale Measures"
Quiet Diplomacy? Remember the 2004 Vietnam Incident
"If Practical Acceptance Preparation is Announced, Significant Burden on China"
Taeyoungho "No Need to Mind China... Must Lead International Cooperation"

Editor's NoteWith the opening of the Hangzhou Asian Games on the 23rd, North Korean defectors in China have been pushed to the brink of forced repatriation. As North Korea, which had closed its borders due to the spread of COVID-19, resumes human exchanges in connection with the Asian Games, there is a growing possibility that a large number of defectors detained in China will be forcibly repatriated. North Korean defectors suffer human rights abuses such as human trafficking in China and face risks of detention, torture, and execution after repatriation. Asia Economy has focused on the harsh reality faced by defectors and explored the role of our government in preventing their repatriation.

The government has declared a 'principle of accepting all' defectors in China who are at risk of repatriation, but it appears that no plan has been prepared for large-scale transfer. To pressure China into losing the justification for forced repatriation, it has been pointed out that South Korea must publicly announce to the international community that it is practically prepared to transfer and accommodate over 2,000 people.

Only Words of 'Accepting All'... Not Prepared to Receive When They Actually Arrive

Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 'Seminar Opposing the Forced Repatriation of Detained North Korean Defectors in China.'
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Ministry of Unification and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 26th, the government's official stance on China's forced repatriation policy is to 'accept all' defectors who wish to come to South Korea. Since raising criticism against China too much could escalate into 'diplomatic interference,' the government is applying indirect pressure by presenting South Korea as an alternative. Thus, the government is responding with a policy of 'quiet diplomacy.'

The number of defectors in China at risk of repatriation is estimated to exceed 2,000. The problem is that preparations to accommodate defectors on a large scale according to the 'principle of accepting all' are insufficient. According to data submitted to People Power Party lawmaker Tae Young-ho by the Ministry of Unification, the appropriate capacity of the Hanawon Settlement Support Office for North Korean Defectors (including the Hwacheon branch) is a maximum of 500 people. Considering 100 new entrants earlier this month, it is difficult to accommodate even 400 more.

The North Korean Defector Protection Center (Government Joint News Center), where defectors undergo National Intelligence Service investigations immediately after entry, can accommodate only 500 people simultaneously. A government official said, "Unlike general refugees, defectors must go through procedures investigating their defection background, possible disguised defection, and espionage suspicions," adding, "If a large number enter exceeding the current capacity, there is no suitable alternative. Even if temporary spaces are prepared, it is uncertain whether security investigations can be conducted properly."

If defectors are transferred on a large scale, it becomes a cross-ministerial issue involving the Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and National Intelligence Service. However, when asked by lawmaker Tae Young-ho whether the Ministry of Unification has convened inter-agency meetings or prepared specific accommodation measures, the ministry responded with a general statement, "We will do our best to help defectors enter quickly and safely and live proudly as members of the nation."

'Quiet Diplomacy' Led to 'International Embarrassment' for the Roh Government

In July 2004, a record number of 468 North Korean defectors were transported by chartered plane from Vietnam.
[Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]

Our government has experienced the negative consequences of pushing only 'quiet diplomacy' without preparing for large-scale transfers. In January 2004, during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the Campaign for North Korean Refugees Protection (CNHR) warned, "There is a considerable number of defectors waiting to go to South Korea in Vietnam, so prepare for sequential transfer and accommodation." However, the government at the time delayed action, emphasizing 'quiet diplomacy' as it does now.

Meanwhile, the number of defectors stranded in Vietnam increased, causing a backlog. Critically, seven defectors were caught by Chinese public security at the Vietnam border and forcibly repatriated, sparking international controversy. Eventually, the Vietnamese government publicly demanded transfers, citing social problems caused by the backlog, and the government belatedly dispatched a charter flight to bring 468 defectors.

The Roh government, which was pursuing inter-Korean summits, faced criticism that "South Korea, not another country, neglected defectors," and the negotiation process for entry to South Korea was fully disclosed, provoking North Korea's backlash calling it "anti-national kidnapping terrorism." This incident damaged diplomatic relations between South Korea and Vietnam, and Southeast Asian countries on the defection route became reluctant to accept defectors.

Lee Young-hwan, former head of the Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG), said, "The fact that defectors are granted nationality rather than refugee status upon entry proves that our government must save its own citizens," adding, "If forced repatriation is not prevented under the guise of quiet diplomacy, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's repeatedly declared 'value diplomacy,' which it has distinguished from previous administrations on the international stage, will face skepticism."

To Lose Justification for Repatriation... "Show Concrete Accommodation Measures"

In May 2002, a North Korean defector attempting to enter the Japanese consulate in Shenyang, China, is being forcibly pulled out by Chinese public security officers. The girl standing on the left is the two-year-old daughter of the North Korean woman being dragged out. [Image source=Yonhap News]

From China's perspective, allowing defectors to go to South Korea is also considered a realistic alternative. Unlike Russia, China cannot ignore international public opinion amid the US-China hegemonic competition. It is observed that if the option of a 'prepared South Korea entry' is presented and supported by the international community, the Chinese government will have no justification to push for large-scale repatriation despite criticism of an 'unprecedented human rights disaster.'

Lee Jung-hoon, the first Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights and a member of the Ministry of Unification's Future Planning Committee, said, "There is no immediate need to prepare accommodation facilities, but it seems necessary to conduct prior checks on personnel and related matters across ministries in case of emergency," adding, "If it is publicly announced that practical preparations are in place in case large-scale transfers occur, it will serve as pressure to prevent repatriation itself while avoiding diplomatic conflicts."

The international community already considers South Korea entry for defectors in China as an alternative. They call for "opening a path to a third country where defectors can choose South Korea instead of repatriation." This opinion was raised at a June hearing by the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) on the issue of defectors in China and has been repeatedly emphasized by organizations such as Amnesty International that monitor human rights worldwide.

Lawmaker Tae Young-ho urged, "The government should not consistently respond passively due to concerns about diplomatic friction with China," and added, "It must find more active ways to prevent forced repatriation through cooperation with the international community." He also stressed, "Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho and others need to engage in high-level contacts including with Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming and directly visit Southeast Asian countries on the defection route to seek cooperation."

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