The South Korean government has announced that it will review the idea of issuing citizenship certificates to a group of defectors currently in detention in China awaiting repatriation in order to try and block their return to North Korea.
Following a meeting at the National Assembly of ruling party lawmakers with Foreign Minister Kim Sung Hwan this morning, chief policymaker Lee Joo Young told reporters, “Comments were made suggesting that we must issue South Korean citizenship documents. Lawmakers urged the issuance of the citizenship certificates during the meeting, and the government responded that it will review the idea.”
Lee added that the government and party lawmakers have also agreed that: ▲ the Diplomacy, Commerce and Unification Committee of the National Assembly will adopt a resolution on the matter; ▲ a National Assembly delegation will travel to China to put pressure on the authorities; and that ▲an appeal will be made to the Red Cross Society of China asking them to be more active in helping protect the rights of defectors.
Speaking with Daily NK following the announced review of possible citizenship support, a high government official commented anonymously that such a move would be legally feasible, saying, “Our government is able to issue citizenship certificates.”
However, he added, “What weight they would carry in China and whether the Chinese would accept them is a completely different matter.”
