[imText1]On the morning of May 30, Pastor Chun Ki Won, of the Durihana Mission, said that “The 2nd round meeting regarding exiles to the U.S. is being planned for a total of 7 defectors. Refugee Status has already been obtained for these people.”
Pastor Chun, who is leading the exile to the U.S. for the defectors, revealed that “At present, arrangements have been made for 7 defectors, of which 3 are of one family” and added that “on the 22nd, refugee status was obtained for the seven people.”
He said that “At first, arrangements were made for 8 defectors, though recently 1 person had to be omitted due to personal reasons. For the other seven defectors, arrangements are being made from the Durihana Mission.”
Also, Chun revealed that “Following the 2nd round of meetings, a 3rd round is being planned” and suggested that there may be an increase in the number of exiles to the U.S.
In regard to plans for the 2nd meeting of exiles to the U.S, Chun said “There may be changes due to the nature of the meetings and the environment”, but avoided detailed comment.
Recently, Chun, who has even received death threats for his support of the refugees, commented that he “Is not anticipating much” in regard to the criminal investigation in progressing in the South.
On May 5th, 6 defectors, hoping to gain exile in the U.S., particpated in the 1st round meeting.
Following is Pastor Chun Ki Won’s Interview:
“Exile of 7 Defectors to the U.S.: Refugee Status Secured”
– I heard that the 2nd group of exiles to the U.S. is in progress. Will it be organized in the same way as the 1st?
There is one young girl and six men filing for exile status, of which three people are of one family. Refugee status was already secured on the 22nd at the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) in a third country. At first, arrangements were made for 8 people, however one person was recently omitted due to personal reasons. Arrangements for this round of defectors will be made by the Durihana Mission. Each is being organized at different locations.
– Is a 3rd round being prepared?
It is under preparation. Although I am not sure on what scale the U.S. desires, taking security into consideration, 5~6 people are filing for exile. After the 1st group of exiles to the U.S., a basic network of contacts was created for defectors to settle into the system. The most important part is not whether to send the defectors to the U.S. or Korea, but for the defectors to be disentangled from politics and safely settled in their new home.
– Are there any prearranged requests by the U.S.?
I first made the request after hearing the circumstances of defectors and the U.S. accepted these requests. After the 1st round, the U.S. Administration said that the requests would openly be received. This shows the effectiveness of the work conducted by the Durihana Missions.
– Has the U.S. consented to the 2nd and 3rd round of exiles?
Consent has consistenly been made from the beginning. In the 2nd and 3rd round there has been more direct and positive action by the U.S., although I cannot make any detailed comments on that.
– Please explain in detail the process of 1st round exiles to the U.S.
As of early this year, circumstances of defectors have been sent through Durihana Mission’s homepage. When I visited the U.S., I shared my thoughts on the countermeasures of defectors with senior researcher Michael Horowitz at Hudson’s Research Institute, who has great interest in North Korean human rights, and who sent a letter to President Bush. Around March, after the decision was made, I was notified on March 31st of the possible exile of defectors to the U.S. Afterwards, I personally contacted defector, found that they desired to go to the U.S., and the exile to the U.S. was able to move forward.
There was no political aim to pressure North Korea. It was only said that if President Bush desired to come, he would be accepted. Going to the U.S. was not trialed from the beginning. The exile to the U.S. was driven by the choices of defectors, and while the role unto entry to the U.S. embassy is my part and that of defectors, on entry of the embassy, it is the role of the U.S.
– Why do defectors try exile to the U.S.?
At first, when the North Korean Human Rights Act was enacted, there was little expectation of defectors going to the U.S., as it was thought to be impossible, as long as China refused to open an embassy. However, defectors were interested in going to the U.S. for the symbolism associated, and it was anticipated that it would draw international interest.
– In what ways are defectors selected to try exile to the U.S.?
There are cases where defectors send personal requests seeking help through the internet, and cases where we get contacts through missionaries. In the 1st group of exiles, three people were from facilities under our care, whereas the others were selected by email. Requirements for preference in the selection ruling basically include people with financial difficulties, women experiencing hardship from having been sold, and children. Also, if in the case financial problems are resolved, a broker is introduced and guidance to an exile route is given.
– What was your greatest hardship while helping the exiles to the U.S.?
As the defectors departed from 6 different regions of China and assembled at the boarder, their security was first priority. Luckily, all 6 defectors were able to meet at the first meeting location boarder, and after moving together were able to enter the third country together without any major difficulties. As all the financial needs were entrusted by our organization, until the point of entry at the U.S. embassy, it was a difficult journey.
– What are the reasons defectors want to exile to the U.S.?
Whereas the South Korean policy is to feed the defectors, the U.S. policy is to teach defectors how to feed themselves. There is also the problem of timing. The timing in the U.S. policy change and the trial to the U.S. by defectors in South Korea, was influenced by the trial to the U.S. by defectors in China.
It seems that South Korea is approaching the issue of defectors from a political stance, while the U.S. is focusing more on human rights. Even in the U.S., it appears that they do not want to interpret the exile of defectors to the U.S. politically, but genuinely accept defectors on a level of North Korean Human Rights.
– If you had to rate South Korea’s Defector Policy…
In regards to the North Korean Human Rights Act and the issue of defectors, it should not be the U.S. coming forth but South Korea coming forth first. The South Korean government has taken North Korean Human Rights issue only for discussion because they think that this will incite Kim Jong Il’s power, but the problem is that they have not taken any actions.
