President Park Geun Hye has criticized the recent deportation and forced repatriation of nine young North Korean defectors from Laos, saying, “It is very disappointing; something happened that should not happen.”
Speaking with her secretarial staff at the Blue House, President Park said, “Humans are born with the right to have freedom. Actions that deprive people of that right and violate their human rights must not exist.”
“The most important thing is to ensure the life and safety of the repatriated young defectors, and that they do not get punished unjustly,” she went on. “If their wellbeing is not guaranteed then North Korea will not be able to escape international criticism and responsibility for their human rights.”
“This incident should not be seen as an inter-Korean or Korea-Laos diplomatic issue, it should be seen as a global issue of the human rights of defectors,” she also added. “Every effort should be made through the international community, in particular international agencies related to refugees.”
