Saenuri Party lawmaker Ha Tae Kyung has called for the government and opposition politicians to step in to try and secure the release of “re-defector” Kim Kwang Ho and his family, noting in a press conference this morning, “It has been confirmed that they are currently being detained in a Chinese border area.”

Ha, who held the emergency press conference at the National Assembly, expressed the concern that “Kim and his family even took part in a press conference lauding the North Korean system after their re-defection so, it will be difficult to save their lives if they are returned to North Korea now.”

According to Ha, the five people in Chinese detention are Kim Kwang Ho, his wife Kim Ok Sil, their daughter Kim Soo Ryeon, and his brother and sister-in-law.

Ha said, “There is still doubt as to whether they returned to North Korea of their own accord or if they were lured by the North Korean authorities. But one thing we do know for sure is that the family of Kim Kwang Ho are citizens of South Korea wherever they are.”

He further emphasized, “Under Kim Jong Eun, measures have been chosen that keep cracking down on defectors further. In this instance, we have seen a swift response from the North Korean authorities. More than ever before, South Korea’s government and Foreign Ministry must respond swiftly to secure the release and safe return of their family.”

Ha also urged, “Protecting our citizens is the primary obligation of the political world regardless of affiliation.”

He added that the Chinese government responded well on the subject of North Korean defectors during President Park Geun Hye’s visit to China last month, and that South Korea hopes that the expectations the visit engendered will be reflected in China’s choices at this time.