[imText1]‘NK defector verification system’ of the U.S seems problematic.
On the 6th, Chosun Ilbo, a Korean newspaper, reported that a defector Ma Young Ae is likely to get permission to take political refuge in the U.S by citing what a North Korean human rights activator participating in a North Korean human rights movement in Washington said. The U.S authority concerned should be more careful about the political refuge permission for Ma Young Ae.
Ma Young Ae cited as a reason for seeking political refuge that the South Korean government interrupted and suppressed her North Korean democratization movement. We do not know how hard Mrs. Ma worked for North Korean democratization. Yet activators who are more active than her in the world field are now working without any restriction of the government.
We do know that the South Korean government does not consider the North Korean democratization movement as good, and tries interrupting the movement by taking every opportunity. However, the South Korean government does not imprison and torture activators like the past administrations. We understand Ma Young Ae could be afraid of the government, yet many activators who got even more severe threats and interruptions are firmly going their own ways. Even the people who got threaten to kill by the North Korean government continue working for the movement with courage.
Before the U.S gives political refuge permission to Ma Young Ae, it should investigate the relationship between her and the South Korean government. Because of the relations with an alliance, the U.S does not need to sacrifice individual freedom and rights. Yet, in the case of Ma Young Ae, its political refuge permission falls far short of the purpose of the U.S to accept North Korean defectors at the level of humanitarianism. The U.S would not think that South Korea has a deteriorate freedom enough for somebody to seek a political refuge as well.
Ma Young Ae is absolutely one of South Korean people. If she is threatened, the South Korean government should protect her, and if she is limited in political freedom, human rights organizations in South Korea would fight against the government. So she should not hide behind the U.S. The political refuge to the U.S could not be a topcoat for her.
At our saying this, we would like to give affectionate advices to defectors living in the U.S.
Once defectors who had gained a South Korean nationality tried to get a refuge permission to go to the U.S, without knowing that they would not come under the category. Some defectors wanted to go to the U.S because of their economical difficulties they faced in South Korea. Others did in order to realize their American dreams. Or, a few did in order to inform the Western countries of the reality of North Korea. We do not want to blame for their personal desires. However, we hope that you do not forget 20 millions brothers and sisters painfully living under a dictator in North Korea, whose wish is heartily eating a bowl of rice.
Plus, we exhort that you say as it is. If North Korea is said as it is, yesterday and today of North Korea is a ‘hell’ itself. Why we try to add something or exaggerate the reality of North Korea? If there are some additions or exaggerations, many truthful witnesses would be discredited by them. The wrongful dictions and behaviors would be recorded to make freedom and liberation of North Korean suffering in North Korea delayed.
To emphasize once again, the U.S should carefully reconsider the permission for NK defectors including Ma Young Ae who already got a South Korea nationality. It should not make the mistake that it ignores given advices and warnings or believes what the defectors say under an obsession of unconditional sympathy and humanitarianism. We are glad that the U.S is interested in North Korean issues and tries to solve them. Yet, the U.S should know that because of one mistake the hundred good actions can pale into significance.
