South Korean Rights Groups Call on China to Apologize for Forced Repatriation of Defectors
Visitors at Imjingak, near the demilitarized zone in Paju, South Korea, are seen looking through a wire fence adorned with prayer ribbons for the reunification of the two Koreas. The “National Alliance against Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors,” comprising organizations like the “Movement for Investigating Truth about Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors” and “Esther Prayer Movement,” held a press conference in front of the Seoul Central Post Office near the Chinese Embassy in Myeongdong, Seoul. They demanded that China apologize for the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors, calling it an inhumane crime.
The alliance urged China to halt forced repatriation, allow defectors to go to the countries of their choice, respect the human rights of North Korean defectors in China, ensure their U.N. refugee status, and use its influence as a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council to address human rights issues in North Korea.
In a statement released on June 3, they highlighted a visit by Zhao Leji, a high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official, to North Korea for enhancing cooperation relations with Kim Jong-un. Following the talks, reports emerged of over 200 defectors being forcibly repatriated from Baiyin Detention Center in China, along with others from different locations.
The alliance expressed concerns that China might be using North Korean defectors as a ‘gift’ to Kim Jong-un in light of the anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They criticized the Chinese government for the forced repatriation, with organizations like Human Rights Watch and the European Union also condemning the actions.
Many human rights organizations have reported that those repatriated to North Korea face severe abuses, including torture, sexual violence, forced labor, and execution. The alliance called on China to respect human rights and allow defectors to seek asylum in safe countries. They warned that if China does not improve its human rights record, it should consider resigning from international bodies like the U.N. Human Rights Council.
The global community is closely watching China’s actions towards North Korean defectors, hoping for a more humane approach that respects the dignity and rights of individuals.
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