International Mutual Assistance for North Korean Defectors

Chairman of the U.S.-Korea Interparliamentary Exchange Committee and U.S. Representative Ed Royce (Republican, California) announced on July 13 that an international mutual assistance system is needed to support North Korean defectors.

Congressman Royce held a joint press conference this day at Washington with Korean representatives and stated as such while explaining the North Korea Human Rights Bill, which passed the House International Relations Committee recently.

The North Korea Human Rights Bill includes contents for the U.S. to recognize North Korean defectors as refugees while providing safe shelter and strengthening the radio broadcasting system for North Korean residents.

Congressman Royce was quoted as saying, “In the past, radio advertising was effective in Eastern Europe,” and added, “Even though the residents of North Korea will not be able to listen directly to the radio advertisements, it will change the military and the leaders of North Korea.” Concerning this issue, head of Korean representatives, Congressman Yu Jae-gun of the Uri Party, stated, “Similar to creating KEDO (Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization) for the purpose of building a light-water reactor for North Korea, it is to be equipped with an international mutual assistance system to systematically support North Korean defectors,” and added that it is only a conception for now.

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com