“25 N. Korean Defectors Tried to Obtain Refugee Status“

It was revealed that the 25 North Korean defectors` barging into the Spanish Embassy in China was a carefully planned event to obtain their refugee status from the Chinese government by the internal and external North Korean defector-related organizations.

Do Hee-Yoon (35), the spokesperson of the `Citizens` Solidarity for Human Rights and Lifesaving for the Kidnapped North Korean Defectors,` had supported the defectors in Beijing, China, and returned Korea yesterday. Do said, “This case was planned to make a precedent for the North Korean defectors` obtaining of the refugee status in China”

Spokesperson Do said, “The most urgent thing for the hundreds of thousands of the defectors in China is not seeking for asylum but obtaining of the refugee status. In order for this, many internal and external organization made a careful plan and carried the action.”

In order to receive a refugee status, one should prove the evidence of persecution in one`s own country due to one`s race, religion, nationality, membership of a special social organization, or political opinion. Simple economic difficulty cannot be a reason. In addition, to avoid a repatriation, one needs to be expected a severe persecution in case of repatriation.

Spokesperson Do explained that, “To qualify these conditions, we tried to select the people whose identities were certain. The defectors prepared the letters of explanation, including their reasons for defection and expected severe punishment in case of repatriation, and translated them into English. Then, they barged into the embassy carrying these documents.”

Do continued that, “Among the 25 defectors, Kim Hyang (16, fictitious name), who defected by starvation, was a problem. But, we had to include her because her situation was so bad. Preparing for an expected interview, we practiced her several times to present legitimate reasons for obtaining a refugee status”

Spokesperson Do said, “Previous defectors have failed to get the refugee status due to the lack of preparation. The initial aim of this case was the defectors` obtaining of the refugee status through the presentation of the carefully prepared sources of explanation during their long-term staying in the Spanish Embassy. But the aim was not accomplished because of the Chinese government`s early expulsion.”

Min-Hyuk Park mhpark@donga.com