No More the Quiet Diplomatic Policy in the Defectors’ Issue

Recently, there have been increasing incidents of the Chinese government arresting defectors with Korean nationalities. The Chinese government is unfolding a strong defector policy.

South Korean government said, “Even with a Korean nationality, if one commits an illegal act in China, they will be arrested. Our government will investigate if there is something to investigate and handle it adequately.” The stance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is not an incorrect one.

However, if a matter concerns defectors with South Korean nationalities, this “content” can be predicted. This concerns most citizens who have helped people from North Korea come to South Korea. But, China captures defectors and sends them back to North Korea. China’s position is that it is an illegal act even to help defectors.

Information was obtained (reported on the afternoon of the 21st) that around 30 females with South Korean nationalities were detained in prison on the 21st in Yanji, China.

If these 30 were arrested and detained all at once, this is a shocking matter. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade should first investigate the state of affairs at the consulate in Shenyang and if there is suspicion of illegal detainment, they should aggressively come forward.

China does not treat defectors as humans for the success of the Olympics.

There is a reason why China is unfolding such a policy. While preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it is stringently treating the public security issue. China is not fundamentally handling the defector issue from a humanistic perspective, but views it as a “public security” issue in the Northeast province of China.

A source in Yenji said, “There has been the Chinese governmental command to strengthen societal order and the preservation of public security to the Police Bureau of Yanbian, Jilin in regards to the Beijing Olympics. For the security of the North Korea-China border region, they are focusing on getting rid of defector brokers.”

Of the around 30 female defectors with South Koran nationalities, the possibility is high that defector brokers are among them. China sees the brokers as illegal criminals who are destroying public security and treats them as felons. The defector issue does not have any voice under the shadow of the Beijing Olympics and is disappearing into the background of international society’s interest. This is the reality. One side shouts, “Help these people!” but the other side is shouting, “Do not spoil our party!”

That is why defectors have become an existence “lower than animals.” If they go back to their homelands, Kim Jong Il authorities’ units (National Security Agency and Social Safety Agency) are baring their teeth and if they go to South Korea, they do not know how to get there without any money. Going to Korea is like pie in the sky for them. Thus, defectors cannot come or go and become “pitiable animals.” This is where defectors are at the present.

It is not to say that the South Korean government has failed to notice the defector issue. It is not that a “quiet diplomacy” has not had any effects. However, a fundamental policy of resolution has to be established and pushed forward. The resolutions for defector issues are actually nothing but the approval of the “Status of Refugees” and receiving them into South Korea. Eclecticism or a “quiet, or even quieter diplomacy” cannot exist with China. The problem should be looked honestly and approached heads-on.

This issue is difficult to solve by South Korea’s strength alone, so it must hold hands with the U.S., Japan, Europe and China to acknowledge the status of the refugees. The defector issue is not related to the North Korea’s nuclear problem. Nuclear weapons is a “material” issue and defectors is a “human” issue. “Material” issues should be resolved through material means and “human” issues should be solved according to humanism’s principles.

The fundamental problem that South Koran government should be gearing for is acting like a “third-party.” If our government does not gear up, the U.S., Japan, and Europe will not do it for us. China especially has its national honor on the line in the Beijing Olympics, so if Korea really leads the U.S., Japan, and Europe’s cooperation, then the road in which the misfortunes of refugees will be acknowledged will open. Currently, the government not devoting its diplomatic resources, but when it does, the above situation will not be impossible.

Roh Moo Hyun’s administration, during the remainder of time in office, should try to resolve the defector issue a like the way the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) succeeded. Then, perhaps, support for Roh Moo Hyun will jump from 30% to 50%…we hope that that the administration will sincerely consider this proposal.