Hwang Jang-yop Supporters Call for Refugee Government

U.S. newspaper Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that as the former secretary of the North`s ruling Workers` Party Hwang Jang-yop is visiting the U.S., activists from both Korea and the U.S. are urging Hwang to establish a North Korean refugee government.

The paper also reported that some of the activists think Hwang as a new leader in post-Kim Jong Il North Korea.

In response to that, Hwang kept saying he is a scholar, not a politician. However, he has been expressing his willingness to help North Korea as a guide and advisor, according to the paper.

Invited by the U.S. Defense Forum Foundation, a Washington-based think tank advising the country`s Congress on key defense and security issues, Hwang made his first trip to the U.S. He arrived in Washington at 1:30 pm (local time) on October 27 and started his week-long trip. Declining any comment, he headed to his hotel after arriving at the airport.

Most of Hwang’s activities in the U.S., except for attending an Open Forum hosted by the Defense Forum, are undisclosed for his protection.

About news reports from several U.S. news agencies concerning Hwang’s attending at a Senate hearing on October 30, a diplomatic source in Washington said that Seoul and Washington both agreed that Hwang’s attending the hearing was not a good idea. He added that Hwang is scheduled to meet with U.S. lawmakers.

On the other hand, the Defense Forum reportedly sees it is possible for Hwang to attend the hearing.

In the meantime, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Richard Boucher said at a daily briefing that Hwang’s visit in the U.S. is a private visit made by invitation of the Defense Forum.

Mr. Boucher confirmed that Hwang would meet with the State Department`s most senior Asia official, Assistant Secretary of State James A. Kelly, as well as arms control specialist Fred Fleitz and members of Congress.

Meanwhile, Japan`s Sankei newspaper reported that Hwang`s eldest son was recently injured in an accident and has been brought to Pyongyang for observation.

The paper assumed that North Korea appears to use Hwang’s son to make Hwang to keep his mouth shut.

Hwang defected to South Korea in 1997 leaving his family, a son and two daughters, in North Korea.

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