[imText1]On May 19, it was confirmed that after 4 defectors under the protection of the Korean Consulate in Shenyang, China escaped over a wall, they then entered the U.S. Consulate and are now seeking refugee status in the U.S.
This is the first incident since 6 defectors came to the U.S. as refugees last May. It is hoped that the US will offer refugee status to those who have undergone various hardships in China and Southeast Asian countries as hiding undergroud, human trafficking, and forcible repatriation to North Korea.
It has been noted that the number of defectors who try to enter U.S. legations in China and Southeast countries will increase depending on how the US handles this current incident. Additionally, some have expressed concern over the possible diplomatic conflicts that may arise as a result of the US decision.
Presently, 8,000 defectors have come to South Korea. Why would they reject the shelter of the the Korean Consulate in order to go to the US? The DailyNK questioned defectors on their thoughts.
“South Korea is not the easiest country for defectors to live in”
Defector Kim Hyung Ho (38, pseudonym), who came to South Korea through Mongolia in August 2003, revealed that, “Some defectors who came to South Korea with me tried to enter the U.S. legation in Mongolia”.
Regarding his resolve to go to the U.S., Mr. Kim said that, “I heard from a friend who defected to South Korea that ‘there is no work in South Korea and it is difficult to live’. So I tried to go to the U.S”.
Mr. Kim also said that, “At that time, following the advice of the Korean legation, we gave up on seeking refuge in the U.S., but we would have gone if conditions had been good”. Mr. Kim would not elaborate on what “good conditions” entailed.
Defector Kim Young Soo (43, pseudonym), who came to South Korea in 2003, said that, “In China, defectors have access to VOA and RFA, and are therefore able to gain a lot of information on the US, which makes them decide to go to there”.
Defectors Distrust South Korean Policies toward the North
Kim Eun Chul, the representative of the BaekduHanla Association, said that, “Defectors living in South Korea do not favor the policies of the South Korean government on North Korean human rights and defectors, and are likely affected by it”.
Representative Kim said that, “The current government policies toward the North support the Kim Jong Il regime, therefore gaining opposition from the majority of defectors”.
In regard to how defectors living in China are able to keep up-to-date on South Korean policies toward the North, Kim said that, “Recently, defectors in China are familiar with the policies of South Korea because many of them are in touch with their family members or others defectors living in South Korea”.
Meanwhile, after the 6 defectors gained refuge in the US last year, many defectors living in China are now attempting to go to the U.S.
Defectors have begun going to the UNHCR in Thailand, a common route for gaining admittance to the U.S., and are looking for organizations to help them.
