NK Defectors Jang Gil-Su Family Is Likely To Be Deported To A Third Country Next Week

It was reported yesterday that the Chinese government was considering deporting the seven family members of Lee Dong-Hak, who have been sitting in the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Beijing requesting for an asylum, to a third country as early as next week. Therefore, it is likely that they will be deported to Singapore or Mongolia during next week.

A Beijing source reported that ``the Chinese government has decided to settle the case quickly in an effort to improve their chances of hosting the 2008 Olympics. Although an asylum will not be granted, like the case of Hwang Jang-Yop, deportation to a third country is likely to be the solution, instead of sending them back to North Korea.``

Decision to select the host country of the 2008 Summer Olympics will be made on July 13. China has been making great efforts to host the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Jang Qi-Ye repeatedly emphasized the point that the Lee family was not regarded as refugees but as illegal violators of border, saying that ``there exists no refugee problem between China and North Korea.`` However, Jang indicated that they would not forcefully send them back to North Korea, saying that ``China has handled the issue of illegal violators of border with the humanitarian spirit in accordance with the international law as well as the national law.``

Lee Jong-Hwan ljhzip@donga.com