China Requests Korea to Control Defection-Supportive NGOs

Chinese government has requested the Korean government to control domestic non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which support defection from North Korea, in prevention of recent incidents of North Koreans’ entry-attempts at foreign legations.

¡°Chinese government has demanded control over domestic NGOs’ supportive activities for North Korean refugees during the Korea-China Bureau Directors Conference in Beijing on the 9th. China expressed a similar request immediately after 25 North Koreans entered Spanish Embassy in March,¡° said a government authority on the 10th.

He also said, ¡°Our government explained that control over NGOs is realistically difficult, and also emphasized that the issue of defection must be dealt upon principles of humanitarianism and refugees must not be sent back against their will.¡°

The Chinese government’s such request is seen as awareness for China’s weakness in human rights and the fact that North Korea is increasingly expressing discontent.

Meanwhile on the 9th, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has requested the Chinese government not to repatriate the 5 relatives of Jang Gil-Su, who were arrested during their attempt to enter Japanese Embassy in Shenyang.

¡°The 5 must not be sent back to Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), and related authority’ appropriate settlement measure is requested,¡° said UNHCR on the 10th. It also added that it is willing to provide information and help for humanitarian solution against the refugees.

Young-Sik Kim Eun-Taek Hong spear@donga.com · euntack@donga.com