6 North Korean Defectors Bound for US

Six North Korean defectors, whose refugee status was officially granted by the U.S. government, are expected to come to America later this month.

Washington-based foreign sources said on May 2, “The U.S. government reviewed its refugee policy and granted Six North Korean asylum-seekers staying in a third country near China under the auspices of the U.S. government an entry to America. They will come to this country later in May.” They will allegedly arrive at Los Angeles.

A source said that the number could go up to around 10, given that defectors other than the six people are also under government review.

These people include children, human trafficking victims, abductees, and those imprisoned in North Korea or China for defection attempts. Reportedly, some women were sold to Chinese via trafficking, and gave birth to a baby before escaping.

Another source said that the U.S. government confirmed that each individual were facing dire human rights conditions.

U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Jay Lefkowitz said that the U.S. would give priority to children and female trafficking victims seeking refugee status in an interview with Dong-A in March.

Seung-Ryun Kim srkim@donga.com