Gov`t team confirms verbal abuse of NK defectors in Thailand

Following a Dong-A Ilbo report saying female staff at the South Korean Embassy in Thailand verbally abused North Korean defectors there, a government investigation team from Seoul that went to Bangkok confirmed that abusive remarks were made by embassy employees.

Based on the probe`s results, Seoul said Monday, "Support for North Korean defectors by the (South) Korean Embassy in Thailand was found to be insufficient," and announced measures to improve services for defectors.

A government official who joined the investigation said, "Administrative staff at the embassy admitted to yelling at defectors and making extreme remarks. A survey of defectors also showed that they had an inappropriate attitude toward defectors."

"On matters involving conflicting opinions between embassy employees and defectors, including those on insults, we will make an additional investigation and punish those who did wrong."

The embassy excluded two employees who were under probe in defector service work. Seoul said it will fill posts for the service with experienced civil affairs workers, strengthen monitoring of work for defectors, establish a defector protection service team headed by the ambassador, and strengthen education for related employees.

In collaboration with the Thai government, the South Korean government will revamp facilities where defectors are kept and promptly handle work including identification and screening for the fast release of defectors from detention camps.

A Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry official in Seoul said, "We`ve become very aware of the need to improve defector services at the Foreign Ministry as well. We are reflecting on ourselves why problems that had been previously raised were not effectively addressed."

lightee@donga.com